If you’re one of the thousands of Americans who would far rather deal with a painful tooth than take a chance on ending up in the dentist’s chair, you’re certainly not alone. Dental fear is a common ailment and one that’s faced by people all over the world, for some it is so overpowering that their dental health suffers as they avoid heading into the dental offices at all costs. Sedation dentistry is an option that can help these patients face their fears and gain the benefits of professional cleanings and other dental treatments before they become worse.
Why Sedation Dentistry Can Help You
Sedation dentistry is an excellent way of coping with concerns about dental fear, as it ensures that your anxiety can be controlled through one of several techniques. There are multiple types of sedation available to the dental patient depending on what is offered by their practitioners office. What type of sedation is going to be applied during your procedure is largely going to depend on what you and you dentist agree on, and how appropriate it is for your specific condition.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
There are two factors that determine what type of sedation dentistry will be used during your procedure, starting with the procedure itself. Some dental procedures start out with a baseline sedation method, especially if they involve drilling or cutting into the gums or jawbone. The minimal necessary sedation for the patients comfort is used by default, but more aggressive sedation may be used if the patient is particularly sensitive to oral discomfort or suffers from dentophobia.
- Inhaled Minimal Sedation: This form of sedation, also known as laughing gas or nitrous oxide, is a highly controllable form of sedation that can help ease the patient’s nervousness and wears off quickly once the gas is no longer being administered.
- Oral Sedation: This form of sedation involves the patient being given a pill known as Halcion, a relative of valium. This sedation leaves the patient feeling sleepy and relaxed, though they are typically still conscious throughout the procedure.
- IV Moderate Sedation: This sedation is administered through an IV, making it have a very short onset time. Typically patients who receive this form of sedation will need to have a ride home available after the procedure.
- Deep Sedation: Also known as general anesthesia this form of sedation renders a patient completely unconscious. This form of sedation is used in the most invasive of surgeries, and in cases where the patients dentophobia is so severe that the dentist is unable to perform the procedure otherwise.
If you have a dental procedure coming up and want to know if dental sedation is available, contact your practitioner. When you call Magnolia Dental in Covington, LA you’ll be working with an expert team of dental specialists including Dr. Ross Quartano. They’ve been serving their local community with pride, and are there for your family if you’re looking for a new dental practice to call home.
