A little insight into our office
At Smile Tucson Family Dentistry, our goal is to create an environment that is welcoming, and up to date.
For many people, going to the dentist is not a pleasant thing. Most people don’t want to “be at the dental office”. So, we do our best to make you feel like you are at a friend’s place.
We have Disney Plus and Netflix available, trinkets for kids, and wooden carved pens for older kids or adults. (Dr. Ricks has been known to take a few carved pens home for himself)
Smile Tucson is solely owned by Dr. Ricks, and not by a distant corporate group.
That makes it possible for us to invest our time into your needs and wants:
“Are there options?”
“Do I really need that filling placed?”
“Why does that tooth need a crown?”
“Can I just get this tooth to stop hurting and then decide later?”
“Why are my teeth going crooked?”
“How long should this filling last?”
“Is there a way to make my denture hold better?”
We try to take time to present all options and answer your questions. If your treatment needs are more complex, we will set up a treatment plan sequence that can work for you.
We want you to be confident in your choices of treatment.
Calming the Nerves…
If you are getting nervous for upcoming treatment and/or cleanings, and are prone to dental anxiety, you may want more than just local anesthetics. Dr. Ricks is licensed to administer nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation. (WE DO NOT OFFER IV SEDATION)
“What does that mean?”
That means you have two other options to ensure your comfort in the dental chair, and alleviate your anxiety:
Nitrous Oxide is a gas, commonly known as “laughing Gas” or “Happy Gas”. This treatment requires you to wear a mask over your nose where a combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide (gas) will flow through for you to breathe. Breathing in this combination helps calm the nerves and allows you feel as if you are floating during your visit. After your treatment is done, we will turn off the nitrous oxide, and you will remain on strictly oxygen for about 5-10 minutes insuring the nitrous oxide is completely out of your system. No driver is needed for this option.
Oral Conscious Sedation (not to be confused with IV Sedation) is a step beyond Nitrous, and requires a chaperone.
Dr. Ricks will evaluate you and your medical history and decide which anti-anxiety medication best suits you. Unlike IV Sedation, no IV is needed, and you will take the anti anxiety medication in the form of a pill. Generally speaking, you will take one the night prior to treatment, an hour before treatment, and sometimes, even during treatment. The amount needed is based off health history, weight, and how anxious you might be. Once in the office, you will be placed on a heart and pulse monitor, you will not be left alone in the room at any point, and you will need a family member or friend to bring you to your appointment. That family member or friend is to remain at our office for the entirety of your visit. We ensure they stay in our waiting room in case of emergency, if you need to use the restroom they will assist you, they ensure you get home safely, and they are expected to watch you for the remainder of the day. Taking care of you is our highest priority, and is a group effort when Oral Conscious Sedation is required.
