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Dental Anxiety - Mid-Valley Dental Care, CA
Dental Anxiety
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How our team at Mid-Valley Dental Care can help with dental anxiety management

At Mid-Valley Dental Care of Northridge, California, we start by “Listening, Caring and Explaining”. We understand that visiting the dentist’s chair can be an anxiety-ridden experience for some patients. This is why we work with you to provide dental anxiety management options including oral conscious sedation, inhalation sedation, I.V. sedation and a sincere caring attitude to ensure a positive, pain free, relaxing and comfortable experience each time you visit our office.

The special care you will experience here at Mid-Valley Dental Care will relieve your fears, lower anxiety, and create a peaceful environment to accomplish the smile you’ve always wanted.

In what ways does the team at Mid-Valley Dental Care put patients at ease during their visits?

Sleep dentistry helps patients with dental anxiety remain relaxed throughout their dental treatments. While there are various types available, we use the following at our office:

  • Nitrous Oxide, or Laughing Gas (N2O). Nitrous oxide can ease anxiety. Inhaled through a mask, it induces mild sedation and has anti-anxiety properties to alleviate discomfort during procedures. With a quick onset and offset, it allows for conscious sedation, keeping patients awake and responsive. You can easily drive home afterwards too! Nitrous oxide also diminishes the gag reflex, aiding in dental work. This gas proves valuable in managing dental anxiety, providing a reassuring option for patients undergoing brief dental treatmentsThis sedation option provides a serene experience for those with dental anxiety.
  • Oral Conscious Sedation. We know visiting the dentist can be scary for those with dental phobia. Our dentists at Mid-Valley Dental Care of Northridge, California, can help with oral conscious sedation. With oral conscious sedation, oral medication is to be taken before appointments, inducing extreme relaxation without sleep. This is different from general anaesthesia. Patients remain in a twilight state, feeling coherent and able to interact during the procedure, following instructions from our dental team while being comforted by the calming effects of the medication. This sedation option provides a serene experience for those with dental anxiety.
  • Intravenous (I.V.) Sedation. IV sedation dentistry is the deepest form of conscious sedation available in a dental office setting. At Mid-Valley Dental Care, our dental anesthesiologist delivers sedative medications directly to your bloodstream through an IV line. During your procedure, your heart rate, blood pressure and oxygen levels are monitored on state-of-the-art equipment while your smile is painlessly transformed. Most people who receive IV sedation dentistry fall asleep and have little to no memory of their treatment when they awake providing the best option for people with severe dental anxiety or those who are undergoing lengthy procedures.
  • DentalVibe Injections. With DentalVibe, patients can enjoy the ultimate injection comfort. Our clinicians use this amazing technology to ensure that injections performed for local anaesthetics are completely comfortable. It massages the nerves and the tissue around the injection site to reduce the common discomfort of injecting anaesthetics. All of the injections performed at Mid-Valley Dental Care utilises the DentalVibe for maximum comfort. Most of our patients don’t even know they are receiving an injection!

Which treatment is right for me?

For some of our patients with more severe anxiety, oral conscious sedation will ease their minds, while others who have mild to moderate dental anxiety may prefer nitrous oxide instead.

How do I learn more about the effective management of dental anxiety and phobia with the team at Mid-Valley Dental Care?

If you deal with dental phobia and seek a dentist who can make dental work more comfortable, now is the time to learn more about our services.

Call (818) 886-3500 to request an appointment at our dental office in Suite #101 at 19331 Business Center Drive in Northridge, CA.

Terence Lau, DDS, FICOI, FAACP

Dr. Terence

Casey Lau, DDS

Dr. Casey

Kayla Lau, D.D.S.

Dr. Kayla


Dr. Terence Lau, DDS, FICOI, FAACP, is a distinguished dental professional with a rich history of education and training, spanning over three decades. His unwavering commitment to excellence and relentless pursuit of advanced knowledge have solidified his reputation as a leader in the field of dentistry.

After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in Cell-Molecular Biology from California State University, Northridge (CSUN), Dr. Terence Lau attained his DDS (Doctor of Dental Surgery) degree from the Ostrow School of Dentistry at USC where he acquired an insatiable thirst for knowledge which led him to pursue advanced training in Periodontal Prosthodontics at the University of Washington School of Dentistry where he was introduced to dental implantology by it's inventor, Per Ingvar Branemark. Throughout his illustrious career, he has continuously improved his expertise through advanced continuing education, covering surgical and restorative implant dentistry, orthodontics, occlusion and full mouth reconstruction and smile design, TMJ and dento-facial orthopedics, sleep apnea, sedation dentistry, implant-assisted orthodontics, clear aligner therapy, regenerative periodontics and bone augmentation, and laser dentistry with a special focus on minimally invasive CT guided Bio-Aesthetic Implant Surgery, soft and hard tissue regeneration and cutting-edge laser dentistry.

Dr. Terence Lau's commitment to staying at dentistry's forefront is reflected in his memberships and fellowships in prestigious organizations, including the Academy of General Dentistry, International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Academy of Osseointegration, American College of Oral Implantology,

American Society of Osseointegration, American Academy of Implant Dentistry, American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS), American Association for Functional Orthodontics, American Academy of Craniofacial Pain, not to mention the American Dental Association (ADA) and the California Dental Association (CDA).

In his unwavering pursuit of advancing dental knowledge, Dr. Terence Lau founded Bio-Aesthetic Implant and Laser Solutions, dedicated to educating and mentoring fellow dentists in the areas of Dental Implantology and Laser Dentistry. He's a nationally recognized lecturer, sharing expertise on topics like Simplified Dental Implant Surgery.

His brother, Dr. Casey Lau, DDS, embarked upon his dental career in 2002 upon joining Dr. Terence Lau and team at Mid-Valley Dental Care. He received his Doctorate of Dental Science degree from the esteemed UCLA School of Dentistry after attaining his Bachelor of Science in Biology from UCLA.

At Mid-Valley Dental Care, Dr. Casey Lau practices a comprehensive dental philosophy centered around the principles of minimally invasive bioesthetic dentistry, with an emphasis on occlusion and orthodontics, cosmetic enhancements, regenerative periodontal therapies, and the cutting-edge realm of laser dentistry. His proficiency extends to advanced disciplines such as implantology, orthodontics, clear aligner therapy (notably Invisalign), and the art of oral sedation.

Constantly seeking innovation in dentistry, he holds membership within a constellation of professional affiliations. These include esteemed organizations such as the American Dental Association (ADA), California Dental Association (CDA), Academy of General Dentistry, International Congress of Oral Implantologists, Academy of Osseointegration, the International Academy of Facial Aesthetics, Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS) , American Academy of Clear Aligners, and the International Association for Orthodontics.

Beyond the realms of clinical practice, Dr. Casey Lau’s entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to oral healthcare innovation are epitomized through his joint venture with his wife in establishing Elims Oral Care, which boasts a unique line of eco-conscious oral care products. Among these offerings, his brainchild features a range of Nano-Hydroxyapatite toothpaste and fully dissolvable whitening strips, symbolizing a testament to his enduring dedication to holistic dental well-being.

They were later joined by Dr. Kayla Lau, DDS, RDH. Dr. Kayla Lau is a dedicated dental professional whose journey in dentistry began as a dental hygienist and culminated in her earning a DDS from the prestigious University of Southern California (USC). It was during her training at USC where she discovered that her passion lies in Biomimetic Restorative Dentistry, learning from pioneers like Dr. Pascal Magne. With a relentless commitment to excellence, she specializes in a wide range of dental services, including restorative and aesthetic dentistry, and the artful use of neuromodulators (i.e. Botox) and dermal fillers for orofacial pain relief, smile enhancement, and facial aesthetics.

Beyond her clinical expertise, Dr. Kayla is deeply committed to giving back to the community. She has been known to enjoy volunteering her time and skills to support underprivileged communities by providing essential dental hygiene care, dental work, and oral cancer screenings. Her altruistic spirit reflects her dedication to improving oral health and overall well-being in underserved populations.

As an active member of several professional organizations, including the Academy of General Dentistry, San Fernando Valley Dental Society, Academy of Biomimetic Dentistry, and the International Academy of Facial Aesthetics, as well as the American Dental Association (ADA) and the California Dental Association (CDA) Dr. Kayla remains at the forefront of dental innovation.

Specializing in treatments like aesthetic bonding, veneers, crowns, inlays/onlays, Invisalign, orofacial pain relief, and facial balancing, Dr. Kayla Lau's expertise, passion for Biomimetic Dentistry, and dedication to community service make her a compassionate and highly skilled professional committed to enhancing your oral health and transforming your smile.



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