Patients with dental anxiety can have peace of mind while receiving the care they need at Hutto Premier Dentistry.

Owner Dr. John McEntire opened the practice in 2008 and has provided quality, comfortable dental care to the Hutto community for over 15 years. Dr. McEntire and Dr. Tyler Birk completed advanced training to be able to offer intravenous conscious sedation, setting the practice apart from others in the area.

“A lot of people have dental phobia,” Dr. Birk said. “It's completely understandable. It's a very intense experience at times, and some people react very strongly to it.”

Dr. Birk said there are three different kinds of sedation used in dentistry:
  • Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas: works quickly and wears off quickly once the patient stops inhaling it. It is the lightest form of sedation and the patient remains awake, but is more relaxed.
  • Oral sedation via pill: although this is easy to administer, the effects can last longer and it can be challenging to predict how each individual patient will respond.
  • Intravenous conscious sedation: allows dentists to closely monitor and adjust the patient’s level of consciousness through an IV. Dr. Birk said it is a very safe and predictable drug and while the patient is not fully asleep, they do not remember anything or feel any pain.
IV conscious sedation helps patients with dental anxiety by allowing them to feel comfortable so they can get the care they need.

“For people who have tried nitrous [oxide] in the past and weren't quite comfortable, I think this is a great thing to do for them,” Dr. Birk said.

Hutto Premier Dentistry offers IV conscious sedation for restorative dentistry, such as implants, crowns and filling multiple cavities at once. This treatment is also available for dental surgeries like root canals.

Not many dental practices offer IV conscious sedation, because dentists are required to complete additional training to be able to administer it.

Dr. Birk completed an advanced education in general dentistry residency program at UT Health San Antonio where he gained knowledge and experience in IV conscious sedation.

“We had simulations where [our professor] would put us through different emergency scenarios and walk us through how to respond to them, which was a very neat and pretty unique experience,” Dr. Birk said.

Dr. Birk said he is happy to have conversations with patients who are interested in IV conscious sedation to decide if it’s a good option for them.

“I never try to push anyone into it, but if it’s something that feels right to them, I'm always open to having a conversation,” Dr. Birk said.

As with any form of sedation, there are risks involved, especially if the patient has underlying health conditions. Dr. Birk is certified to administer IV conscious sedation up to a level three risk patient.

In addition to offering this specialized service, Hutto Premier Dentistry stands out because of its experienced and compassionate staff members.

“Everywhere you go you can find great dentists, but I know that the dentists at Hutto Premier are phenomenal, both clinically and as people.” Dr. Birk said. “The other benefit of our office is just how amazing the staff is. It is a family...I've been welcomed and I think all of our patients are as well.”

To discover more about sedation at Hutto Premier Dentistry or to make an appointment, visit the practice’s website.

The above story was produced by Multi-platform Journalist Mary Katherine Shapiro with Community Impact's Storytelling team with information solely provided by the local business as part of their "sponsored content" purchase through our advertising team.