Did you know that roughly one-fifth of US adults are affected by dental-related phobias and anxiety? What’s worse is that often, this debilitating fear can cause patients to completely forgo visiting their dentist for routine preventive care! Continue reading below to learn a little more about sedation dentistry, some of its benefits, and why it might be the perfect answer for you if you’d rather be anywhere else in the world than the dentist’s office.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is an umbrella term that includes different types of sedation methods. Dentists have access to several safe, non-habit-forming medicines and drugs they can use to help patients relax before and during dental procedures. Three of the most common sedation methods include nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Here’s a brief overview of each:
- Nitrous oxide – Typically for milder cases of anxiety, the patient is given a mixture of this gas and oxygen, which causes feelings of euphoria and blocks pain but leaves them conscious and responsive to commands.
- Oral conscious sedation – This involves taking a prescribed pill (usually before the appointment) that instills a deeper level of relaxation than solely using nitrous oxide.
- IV sedation – This is typically reserved for lengthy or complex procedures. The sedative is delivered directly into the patient’s bloodstream, providing the deepest level of relaxation possible.
What Are the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry?
To put it simply, sedation dentistry offers all kinds of unique advantages for patients, including but not limited to:
- Instantly provides relief for virtually all levels of dental-related phobias or anxiety.
- Assists patients with sensitive teeth, gums, or gag reflexes.
- Useful for lengthy or complex dental procedures.
- Dentists can often work more efficiently when patients are sedated.
Is Sedation Dentistry Right for Me?
Fortunately, for most patients, sedation dentistry is a completely safe and viable option! During your consultation, your dentist will discuss your available options for dental sedation, taking into account factors including your age, health, allergies, physical discomforts, and of course, the cause of your anxiety. Patients with conditions that make breathing difficult or patients with allergies to specific medications are not often good candidates, as are those who are pregnant.
These days, sedation dentistry is the go-to route for patients with dental anxiety, no matter the severity. That said, if you have any doubts about your upcoming dental visit, you shouldn’t hesitate to see if sedation dentistry can help make your next checkup a pleasant experience!
About the Practice
The team at Texas Dentistry and Braces has proudly served the needs of patients and families in Mesquite, TX for several years, offering a wide range of services for patients of all ages. They’re also thrilled to offer various sedation dentistry options, including nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation when necessary. If you have any questions about the blog or want to get in touch with the team to set up a visit for you or someone you know, you can contact them online or by phone for assistance. Telephone: (972) 329-4200.