Millions of people undergo sedation dentistry every year to help curb their dental phobias and enhance their comfort during procedures. If you suffer from extreme anxiety when you visit the dentist, this could be a viable option for you. To learn more about this, here are a few things you didn’t know about sedation dentistry, and how it can help you feel less fearful when visiting your dentist.
You Don’t Go “Under”
Sedation dentistry is used to help relax the mind and body and put patients at ease. Many people think this puts them “under” or in an unconscious state. However, this isn’t always the case. Sedation dentistry simply places you in a very relaxed or sleep-like state where you’re still conscious. Only if you are given general anesthesia will you enter an unconscious state.
There Are Four Options
Depending on the procedure and the patient’s comfort level, there are many different levels of conscious sedation that can be used. This includes oral (sedative drug), inhalation (laughing gas), and intramuscular and intravenous (IV) sedation. Your dentist will review your medical history and evaluate your specific concerns to determine the option that is best for you based on the type of procedure and your health.
Sedation Can Be Controlled
Your dentist can also control and adjust the amount of sedation that’s administered to help you relax more deeply or to wake you up. They’ll also monitor your blood oxygen level, blood pressure, temperature and heart rate closely throughout the procedure.
You’ll Have Little Memory of the Treatment
Once the procedure is finished, and the sedation wears off, most patients rarely remember the details. It may also feel as though the procedure lasted only a few minutes, even when it actually lasted for several hours. Having little memory of the procedure can help alleviate and even prevent dental phobias.
It’s Commonly Used to Relieve Fear
Some of our patients may have a severe fear of needles, whereas others feel nervous about the loud sounds that are made by dental tools. Whatever the reason, we often use sedation therapy to help calm their nerves and get them to relax during their procedures. If you’re afraid of visiting the dentist office for any reason, talk to one of our staff, and we’ll discuss whether this is a viable option for you.
It’s Also Safe for Kids
Sedation isn’t only safe for adults; it can also be performed on children. Pediatric dentists often recommend sedation dentistry if the child has a dental phobia, suffers from a gag reflex, or is non-cooperative. It’s a great way to calm your child during their procedure while ensuring that the dentist can work safely.
Sedation dentistry should only be administered by a qualified dentist, so it’s important to make sure that your dentist is in fact trained to administer the type of sedation that you will receive. At Teal Umbrella, we’re qualified to offer needle-based and gas-based pain blockers to keep our patients as comfortable and as relaxed as possible during procedures. To learn more about our sedation options, contact us today!
