Things You Should Know About Sedation Dentistry
If thinking about visiting a dentist for an appointment makes you anxious, you should consider going to a sedation dentist. Dental anxiety is a seriousdental problemthat affects about half of the people in the US. If not checked, it can lead to many people canceling their appointments with their dentist and neglecting oral health care.
Sedation dentistry is the best option for various levels of dental treatment in today’s era. It can help with simple dental procedures like tooth cleaning or a more serious one like tooth extraction. Regardless of the reason, people ant to understand sedation dentistry and have several questions.
When dealing with anxious patients, the dentist has to use sedatives to help patients relax during the dental treatments. This will help you understand moreabout sedation dentistry:
- Sedation Helps to Ease Anxiety
Sedative dentistry is mainly meant to ease your anxiety while undergoing medical procedures. It eases your anxiety and sometimes numbs your pain or even makes you fall asleep during the whole process. Patients who fear dental check-ups or undergoing any dental procedure may benefit from sedation dentistry.
- There are Many Levels of Sedation
Sedation dentistry hasfour different levels; there is an option where the patient remains awakened but relaxed throughout the procedure. This is called minimal sedation. The second level of sedation is moderate sedation, the patient loses the memory of the whole procedure, and it appears like the procedure took just a few seconds.
On the other hand, deep sedation is a little more intense than moderate sedation, in which the patient might be asleep but easily woken up if need be. The last type of sedation is general anesthesia. This is where thepatient is completely unconscious. However, this can last longer as the patient wakes up on their own when the anesthesia wears off.
- People Without DentalAnxiety Can Also Benefit
While sedation is meant for patients with anxiety to help them overcome their fears, people who aren’t frightened when it’s time to have their dental appointments can also benefit from it. You can consider oral sedation if you:
- Are you uncomfortable or find it difficult o stay still
- Have sensitive gums and teeth
- have had traumatic experiences with other dentists in the past
- Need to havea lot of dental work done
- Have a tight or busy schedule
- Can’t control a gag reflex
- Have neck, jaw, or back pain
- Not all Dentists canPerform all Levels of Sedation
Not all dentists can do all the levels of sedation. If that is the case,then an oral surgeonwill be recommended, if it is not an available option, consider lower sedation levels. Although sedation is an overall safe option, it is important to communicate any health issue before undergoing the procedure for the best outcome.
The American Dental Association oversees professional licensing and requires that a dental practioner must have specialized training in sedative techniques, medical equipment, history, and medications to ensure that everything is effective.
- Talk to the Dentist Before Deciding on the Options Available.
The dentist typically understands their patient’s oral health and can know whether they have a low pain threshold or have gagging issues. However, if you see a new dentist, be sure to make him aware of these issues during the consultation process.
- What the Procedure Will Need
Make sure that the dentist has the correct tools to perform the procedure. It is b very important to prepare for the appointment. There must be reversion drugs, oxygen, and a way to regulate the patient’s vitals. This is in the case of more advanced procedures and sedation.
- Have Someone to Drive you Home
Some levels of sedation will put the patient to sleep, and it is wise for the patient to have a friend or a family member drive them back home. This is important for the patient’s safety.
If you consider yourself anxious, the above guidelines will help you before you visit our dental office at Fox Creek Dental by Espire Thornton for sedation dentistry. But, you can always find out from your dentist what to expect before undergoing any dental procedure.
Click to listen highlighted text! Things You Should Know About Sedation Dentistry May 20, 2022 If thinking about visiting a dentist for an appointment makes you anxious, you should consider going to a sedation dentist. Dental anxiety is a seriousdental problemthat affects about half of the people in the US. If not checked, it can lead to many people canceling their appointments with their dentist and neglecting oral health care. Sedation dentistry is the best option for various levels of dental treatment in today’s era. It can help with simple dental procedures like tooth cleaning or a more serious one like tooth extraction. Regardless of the reason, people ant to understand sedation dentistry and have several questions. When dealing with anxious patients, the dentist has to use sedatives to help patients relax during the dental treatments. This will help you understand moreabout sedation dentistry: Sedation Helps to Ease Anxiety Sedative dentistry is mainly meant to ease your anxiety while undergoing medical procedures. It eases your anxiety and sometimes numbs your pain or even makes you fall asleep during the whole process. Patients who fear dental check-ups or undergoing any dental procedure may benefit from sedation dentistry. There are Many Levels of Sedation Sedation dentistry hasfour different levels; there is an option where the patient remains awakened but relaxed throughout the procedure. This is called minimal sedation. The second level of sedation is moderate sedation, the patient loses the memory of the whole procedure, and it appears like the procedure took just a few seconds. On the other hand, deep sedation is a little more intense than moderate sedation, in which the patient might be asleep but easily woken up if need be. The last type of sedation is general anesthesia. This is where thepatient is completely unconscious. However, this can last longer as the patient wakes up on their own when the anesthesia wears off. People Without DentalAnxiety Can Also Benefit While sedation is meant for patients with anxiety to help them overcome their fears, people who aren’t frightened when it’s time to have their dental appointments can also benefit from it. You can consider oral sedation if you: Are you uncomfortable or find it difficult o stay still Have sensitive gums and teeth have had traumatic experiences with other dentists in the past Need to havea lot of dental work done Have a tight or busy schedule Can’t control a gag reflex Have neck, jaw, or back pain Not all Dentists canPerform all Levels of Sedation Not all dentists can do all the levels of sedation. If that is the case,then an oral surgeonwill be recommended, if it is not an available option, consider lower sedation levels. Although sedation is an overall safe option, it is important to communicate any health issue before undergoing the procedure for the best outcome. The American Dental Association oversees professional licensing and requires that a dental practioner must have specialized training in sedative techniques, medical equipment, history, and medications to ensure that everything is effective. Talk to the Dentist Before Deciding on the Options Available. The dentist typically understands their patient’s oral health and can know whether they have a low pain threshold or have gagging issues. However, if you see a new dentist, be sure to make him aware of these issues during the consultation process. What the Procedure Will Need Make sure that the dentist has the correct tools to perform the procedure. It is b very important to prepare for the appointment. There must be reversion drugs, oxygen, and a way to regulate the patient’s vitals. This is in the case of more advanced procedures and sedation. Have Someone to Drive you Home Some levels of sedation will put the patient to sleep, and it is wise for the patient to have a friend or a family member drive them back home. This is important for the patient’s safety. If you consider yourself anxious, the above guidelines will help you before you visit our dental office at Fox Creek Dental by Espire Thornton for sedation dentistry. But, you can always find out from your dentist what to expect before undergoing any dental procedure.