We get it. Lots of patients are afraid to come see us because they think they’ll experience a lot of pain or they don’t like to have people working in their mouth. Unfortunately, this can be a significant obstacle that stands in the way of patients getting even routine dental care that is relatively painless. These patients now have a solution to reduce their anxiety and help them access the dental care they need, whether that involves exams and cleanings or more intensive interventions.
Sedation dentistry helps patients achieve a state of deep relaxation during a dental appointment. This allows the patient to overcome any anxiety that may be affecting their state of mind. Furthermore, with many types of sedation, the patient actually remains conscious despite feeling as though they’re in a sleep-like state. This means that they can continue to breathe independently rather than relying on a ventilator, as well as respond to commands from the dentist.
The anti-anxiety drugs used in sedation dentistry may be administered in different forms. Patients can inhale nitrous oxide gas, take an oral medication or receive sedatives intravenously. Not all providers offer all options, so check with your dentist to see which delivery methods are available to you.
Certain types of sedation will require preparation in advance of your appointment. For example, if you are receiving intravenous sedation, your dentist will instruction to stop eating at a certain time before your appointment. Oral medications must be taken far enough in advance to achieve the desired effects before your appointment.
Additionally, if you take advantage of sedation dentistry, you will need to make arrangements for a responsible adult to take you home from the appointment, as the effects of the sedatives won’t be completely reversed by the time you leave our office and you will not be able to drive safely at that point.
Could sedation dentistry help you to overcome anxiety and access the dental treatment you need? Call our office to learn more about our offerings in this area.
