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Get Ready to Relax and Smile

Sedation May be the Solution for You

Fear of the dentist, or dental anxiety, is a common fear and you are not alone. This often leaves people avoiding necessary or routine dental care, exacerbating current dental problems. At Total Dental Care, our goal is to make you comfortable while receiving dental treatment, easing your mind and allowing you to receive proper dental care without fear or discomfort.

We want to change the way you think about your future dental visits!

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Have A Relaxed Dental Experience

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At Total Dental Care, our sedation dentistry in Pekin prioritizes your comfort and safety. Communicate your fears and concerns with us and trust our proven methods to provide a relaxed dental experience.

  •       Enhanced comfort: Sedation provides a comfortable experience, allowing patients to relax during their dental procedures
  •       Reduced anxiety: Ideal for those with dental fears, sedation alleviates stress and promotes a calm state of mind
  •       Time efficiency: With sedation, more dental work can be completed in fewer visits, saving time and reducing the number of appointments
  •       Improved overall health: Good dental health contributes to better whole-body health

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry helps to calm patients, allowing Dr. Dickey to complete the treatment needed while you feel completely relaxed. When patients experience fear and anxiety, their pain threshold decreases, often leaving them susceptible to sensations of increased pain.

To break the cycle of pain and anxiety, Total Dental Care provides oral sedation and nitrous oxide. Before treatment, you will meet with Dr. Dickey to discuss your treatment and your complete health history, to see if you are a good candidate for care.

  • Oral and conscious sedation or nitrous
  • Minimizes the gag reflex
  • Tailored to your specific needs
  • Minimal side effects
  • Permit A licensed to provide sedation dentistry
  • Option for neck or back pain patients who can not lay back for extended periods of time

Explore Your Options at Total Dental Care

Total Dental Care in Pekin, IL

 

 

 

 

When considering sedation for dental work, many people assume they will be fully put under anesthesia like other surgeries.

However, dental sedation has come a long way. Patients can experience a relaxed visit with the combination of oral sedation medication and nitrous oxide.

Options for a More Relaxed Dental Experience

  • Oral Sedation: taken as a pill that dissolves under your tongue and provides relief through a sedative and anxiolytic combination.
  • Nitrous Oxide: Also known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is inhaled through a mask. It may be combined with oral sedation medication or used independently. You’ll feel relaxed and at ease, and the effect of nitrous wears off quickly after the appointment is completed.
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  • Lowered Anxiety: Oral sedation is considered an anxiolytic, a class of medications specifically aimed at treating anxiety, allowing your tensions to melt away.
  • Decreased Pain: Oral sedation decreases nerve pain, and by lowering anxiety, the pain threshold is increased, making dental procedures easier.
  • Few Side Effects: Our oral sedation and nitrous oxide options are safe and clinically tested, providing you with choices that have the lowest possible side effects.
  • Nitrous Wears Off Quickly: If you opt for nitrous oxide, you will appreciate that it wears off quickly allowing you to return to your day.
  • Dental Sedation Permit A: Our dentist, Dr. Dickey, holds a Permit A in sedation dentistry, allowing him to provide minimal to moderate sedation for his patients.
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Benefits of Oral Sedation With Total Dental Care

Total Dental Care in Pekin, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Dental sedation is a safe and effective technique for helping patients relax during dental procedures. Whether you experience anxiety or need a lengthy treatment, sedation aides in comfort, reducing stress and discomfort and allowing for a calm and relaxed dental experience.

Dr. Dickey has been providing sedation for over 20 years. He and his fully trained staff administer oral sedation and monitor vital signs throughout the procedure. These medications have a long-standing record of safety and effectiveness, allowing patients to relax comfortably while receiving necessary dental care.

Before undergoing dental sedation, follow Dr. Dickey’s instructions carefully. This may include fasting for a certain period, arranging transportation to and from the appointment, and discussing any medical conditions or medications with us to aid in a safe and comfortable experience.

While oral sedation is generally safe, some common side effects may include drowsiness, dizziness, and temporary memory loss. These effects typically subside shortly after the procedure. Dr. Dickey will discuss any potential side effects to facilitate your comfort throughout the process.

For your safety, you cannot to drive after dental sedation. The effects of sedation can impair your coordination and reaction time. You cannot drive until the next day, so arrange for a friend or family member to drive you, helping for a smooth and safe post-procedure experience.

Total Dental Care in Pekin, IL
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Robert Martin
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Did great job 👏
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Laura Michael
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From the front desk staff, to the hygienist, to the dentist, everyone is friendly, prompt, and professional.
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Rhonda Stramka
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Thankful to have found this Dental practice! So kind! Took great care of me!!
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Brad
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The best! Always friendly and answer any questions you may have. Make you feel comfortable through the entire process.
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Beth Patch
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Best dental group around! Everyone is so friendly from the front desk to the assistants to the dentists😍 Love Dr Dickey and Dr Steinwedel! Jessica is an excellent hygienist and such a pleasure to work with. The whole staff goes above and beyond to help and support any issues! Love this team!
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Martin Mwongyera
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Very friendly and courteous staff! Great caregivers!
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Leslie Kelly
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Yesterday, 8/28/26, I had a dental emergency. I had never been to Total Dental before, but they were the only office able to see me—and I am so grateful they did. From the moment I called in complete panic mode, the office staff was incredibly understanding and truly listened. They got me in so quickly that I had to leave my house immediately after calling! Once I arrived, everyone was wonderful. The assistant who brought me back and talked me through every step until I left was genuinely one of the kindest humans. I have severe dental anxiety, and she continuously reassured me and helped me stay calm. Dr. Steinwedel performed my procedure and was absolutely amazing. This was the first time I have ever been to a dentist and not felt judged for being a 38-year-old woman who is terrified of anything dental. As I told him, I have done hard things—I served in the military, worked in corrections, and gave birth—but dental procedures are a completely different kind of fear for me. He never dismissed that fear. Instead, he reassured me that what I was feeling was completely normal and supported me throughout the entire procedure. They made me feel so comfortable that, before leaving, I even had the confidence to schedule additional preventive-care appointments. If that doesn’t show how safe and supported they made me feel, I don’t know what does! Dr. Steinwedel also personally called later that evening to make sure I was recovering well. If I could give Total Dental more than five stars, I absolutely would. I cannot thank the entire team enough for their kindness, compassion, and exceptional care during an incredibly stressful situation.
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Anita Brown
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For someone that is petrified of dentist they are very caring and understanding on how you are feeling. I have had a wonderful experience and they always try to get you in right away.
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Ursula Coyle
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The most caring Dr and staff. And most knowledgeable! I am so grateful for each one of them!!! ❤️
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