Are you scared of going to the dentist’s? Sedation dentistry can help you overcome the fear. Read to know the benefits of sedation dentistry.
Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry means using medicine and techniques to help someone stay calm during dental work. Some call it “sleep dentistry,” but it’s not exactly sleep. It’s just feeling relaxed and not paying much attention to what’s happening.
Types
The sedation you choose depends on what makes you nervous and the kind of dental work you’re getting. If you’re worried about feeling too sleepy, you might prefer laughing gas to IV or oral sedation. But IV sedation might be the best choice if you’re anxious about dental visits.
Here are the types of sedation:
Laughing Gas (Nitrous Oxide)
This is the most common way to relax at the dentist. Before the procedure, the dentist puts a mask on your nose and asks you to breathe normally. Laughing gas works quickly, making you feel calm before the treatment starts. It reduces anxiety and helps you tolerate pain better. It also wears off fast.
Oral Conscious Sedation
With oral sedation, you take a prescribed pill before your dental work to lessen anxiety. Usually, you take the pill an hour before your appointment, so you’re already feeling calm by the time you get to the dentist. You’re awake and can respond during the treatment, but you might be drowsy.
IV Sedation (Intravenous)
IV sedation, also called conscious sedation, further eases anxiety and discomfort. During IV sedation, a certified anesthesiologist sedates you with medication. It works quickly as it goes into your bloodstream. Under IV sedation, you’re still awake but less aware during the visit.
Benefits
Here are some benefits of sedation dentistry when you’re getting dental work:
Helps with Dental Anxiety
Lots of people get nervous about going to the dentist. This anxiety can make it challenging for them to get the dental care they need and can cause problems during treatment. One of the best benefits of sedation dentistry is that it can make this easier.
It makes you feel relaxed, and you can still follow instructions. This way, you can get dental work done without feeling anxious, and you won’t worry about your last visit because you won’t remember it.
Learn more about how you can manage dental anxiety.
No Pain or Discomfort
One of the benefits of sedation dentistry is that it ensures you don’t feel pain during procedures. Dental work can be painful, especially for big things like root canals, tooth removal, or getting permanent dental implants. While local anesthesia can help with small procedures, sedation is important for reducing pain during these bigger treatments.
Managing Triggers
Among the many benefits of sedation dentistry, managing patient triggers is also important. For most people, it’s hard to stay calm in that environment. But if a patient is given medication to relax, it can stop the “fight or flight” response.
Controlling Gag Reflex
If your gag reflex is sensitive, going to the dentist can be uncomfortable, especially when they need to make molds for dentures, crowns, or braces. Sedation dentistry can help you relax during these treatments.
The benefits of sedation dentistry in controlling gag reflex are essential. The medicine will temporarily stop your gag reflex, making the process more comfortable.
Speeds Up Dental Work
The benefits of sedation dentistry are that it helps you calm down and be less anxious during the procedure. When you’re relaxed, the dentist can start right away. This makes the dental work go faster and saves time that would have been used to help you feel less nervous.
Plus, sedation makes you less likely to need a second visit because the dentist can finish the job simultaneously.
Multiple Procedures Done Together
Sometimes, if your teeth have many problems, you should visit the dentist multiple times to fix everything. However, many people can’t handle the pain and discomfort of repeatedly undergoing treatments.
Sedation dentistry helps you stay calm during longer procedures. It means your dentist can do more things in one visit. This can save you money, reduce the number of visits, and make your recovery time shorter.
Improves Your Quality of Life
Worrying about the dentist can make you feel bad for days before your appointment, especially if you need treatment or fear going to the dentist.
When you choose sedation dentistry, you can be sure they will take care of the pain, so you won’t have to worry about it affecting your life before the appointment.
Conclusion
The blog guides you on the benefits of sedation dentistry. Hope now you are aware of why you should choose sedation dentistry. Always consult your dentist’s sedation options before the treatment.
