Dental phobia is a real deal. More than two-thirds of the American population suffers from dental anxiety or fear. If that’s the case for you, experience anxiety-free care from the Houston dentist. We will make your appointment pleasant and free from dental phobia with the help of sleep dentistry. Read this blog to learn more about sedation dentistry and how we can make your appointment stress-free.
But before we jump to our topic, let’s talk about sedation dentistry first.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
As we said earlier, dental phobia is a real deal. In fact, it’s one of the primary reasons why some patients avoid visiting their dentists. Skipping on dental appointments has far-reaching effects, resulting in poor oral health, increased dental problems, and minor issues transforming into major ones.
Dentists use sedation dentistry to help patients receive care with peace of mind. This branch of dentistry helps patients receive anxiety- and stress-free dental care. It involves sedative administration, including anti-anxiety medications, tranquilizers, depressants, and laughing gas.
The dentist can also help reduce pain sensation with local anesthetics to avoid discomfort during extensive procedures. But the type of sedatives you’ll receive largely depends on your dental phobia extent and the procedure.
Let’s talk about different types of sedation dentistry.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
Thanks to the advancement in dentistry, your dentist can provide a variety of sedation types. But that wasn’t the case earlier. The only popular type of sedation used to be intravenous sedation.
Sleep dentistry has now been incorporated to help patients experience anxiety-free care. But that doesn’t mean patients will come with their pillow and sleep throughout their procedure. Sleep dentistry makes patients relax throughout the procedure, so they don’t go through stress.
Intravenous Sedation
Intravenous sedation (or IV sedation) is injected directly into your bloodstream. The dentist uses this technique to put you into a state of calmness. You will feel less conscious during the appointment and won’t remember some parts of the procedure. This method is for patients with severe anxiety or who undergo an extensive procedure to help avoid pain sensation. Your dentist will also advise you to bring a friend with you to drive you home, as its effects generally take a while to subside.
Oral Sedation
This type of sedation is the most popular technique, including drugs like Diazepam or Lorazepam. The dentist might recommend patients with dental phobia take them about an hour before visiting the dentist. That’s because these medicines often need time to take effect in your system.
What are its effects? Once you take oral sedatives as prescribed by the dentist, you will likely remain awake but feel more relaxed and calmer. You’ll also find it easy to cooperate with the dentist during the procedure and enjoy a pleasant experience overall.
Nitrous Oxide
This type of sedation, sometimes known as laughing gas, is inhaled to affect you. The dentist will ask you to inhale nitrous oxide before starting the procedure. Its effects are mild, and you’ll stay conscious of the surroundings but feel calmer and less anxious. You can also drive home without bringing a friend with you, as nitrous oxide’s effects typically subside within an hour.
Which type of sedation is best for me?
It’s a common question that patients often ask. The type of sedation dentistry that’s best for you depends on your condition, level of dental anxiety, and the complexity of your appointment. To find that out, you should visit a local dentist. They will evaluate your condition and suggest you the best method.
Am I a candidate for sedation dentistry?
You may or not be the right candidate. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Do you have sensitive oral nerves?
- Do you suffer from a general anxiety disorder?
- Are you anesthetic resistant?
- Have you had a bad experience with the procedure before?
- Do you fear a specific procedure?
If the answer to any one of the questions is yes, you should contact Hermann Park Smile and discuss your condition with our top-rated dentists. We will provide you with the best possible solution to your problem.