Do you tend to feel stressed or anxious when thinking about visiting the dentist? One of the best solutions for this is sedation dentistry. With this treatment, you’ll be able to breeze through your dental appointment while staying as relaxed as possible. However, there’s more to this therapy than simply calming your nerves. Keep reading to learn about the benefits of sedation dentistry that aren’t related to dental anxiety!
6 Non-Dental-Anxiety-Related Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
While sedation dentistry is beneficial for patients who struggle with dental fear or anxiety, it’s also a useful tool for numerous other factors. Here are several benefits to consider:
- It helps patients who have difficulty with numbing agents.
- It allows the dentist to perform multiple treatments in one visit.
- It minimizes neck, head, and jaw discomfort while sitting for extended periods.
- It provides a euphoric sensation while allowing patients to respond to verbal commands.
- The effects from options like nitrous oxide don’t take long to wear off.
- Patients tend not to remember the procedure, which helps ease their nerves at future appointments.
Which Kind of Sedation Dentistry Is Available?
Sedation dentistry is an umbrella term that consists of multiple types of calming solutions. These include:
- Nitrous oxide – Also known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is administered through a nasal mask allowing you to breathe in the sedative. You’ll feel a deep sense of calm that acts fast as well as dissipates quickly after taking it off. Your dental team can adjust the flow throughout the treatment accordingly, and you’ll be fully conscious during the appointment.
- Oral conscious sedation – Your dentist can provide you with a pill that you’ll take a certain amount of time before your dental procedure. While you can easily be awakened, you’ll mostly remain in a deep dream-like state during your treatment. You should be able to respond to verbal commands from your dentist, but you might not remember much about your procedure.
- IV sedation – This sedative will be administered directly into your bloodstream to create a deeper sensation of calmness. You’ll be so relaxed that you’ll feel as though you “slept” right through the procedure! You’ll need to have someone take you to and from your appointment, as the effects won’t wear off until a few hours later.
How to Determine If Sedation Dentistry Is Best For You
If you’re interested in sedation dentistry, feel free to consult your dentist. They’ll be happy to discuss your oral health and determine if you’re a good candidate for the therapy as well as which type would benefit you best. Since many patients tend to qualify for sedation dentistry, you can feel confident that your dental team will do everything they can to help keep you as comfortable as possible throughout your visit. Feel free to consult your dentist, and they’ll be more than happy to discuss your options!
About the Author
Dr. Mark DeSimone graduated from Louisiana State University and regularly seeks advanced training to refine his skills. He’s also a member of several organizations like the Academy of General Dentistry and the American Dental Association. He offers a wide range of high-quality and comprehensive services, including nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. If you’d like to schedule a consultation, visit his website or call 972-723-1148.