For many, a sedation dentist allows people to overcome their fears of visiting the dentist and get the dental help they need. We know that dental anxiety, which is what an unnatural fear of dentists and everything to do with dentists is called, is very common. Some people will not even go in if they are in an emergency dental situation. Dental anxiety increases the risk of serious oral infections or diseases. In cases like this, a sedation dentist is an answer to the patient's prayers. One thing to remember is that dentistry has used sedation for a very long time. In the past, we typically used sedation dentistry for more complicated procedures. Today, patients are availing of its services so that they can do even basic and simple treatments without the massive anxiety and panic that they normally feel.
Today, patients can have a level of sedation dentistry for regular teeth cleanings to tooth extractions. As a sedation dentist, we pay close attention to the procedure and give the patient advice on the level of sedation the patient needs to get through the procedure. Since we do not want the patient to go to sleep unnecessarily, we will ensure we only give the necessary to calm the patient for the procedure. In some cases, complete unconsciousness may be necessary. In most regular maintenance cases, we simply need to help the patient relax. Since the patient can also choose what level of sedation he or she is comfortable with, below are the four levels that we typically use as a sedation dentist.
General anesthesia is the most impactful of the sedation methods in which the patient is completely unconscious. We do not prefer this method unless it is a serious procedure. With the more intensive procedures, we will require someone to take the patient home since the patient will need more time for the anesthesia to wear off.
Unlike with general anesthesia, deep sedation has the individual fall asleep. Typically this is a very light sleep, which holds patients on the edge of consciousness. If need be, the sedation dentist can easily wake the patient up from this kind of sleep.
Moderate sedation is the first level of sedation where we truly sedate the patient but have the patient stay awake. The patient will feel the effects of the sedation and may not remember much of the procedure despite being awake.
This is used for many minor procedures because you are completely awake and aware, but the sedation makes you completely relaxed and able to let go of all your anxiety.
An oral sedative always comes in handy when a patient cannot handle being in the dentist’s office. While it is true that dental checkups are necessary for your health, there are still adults who cannot stand them. Phobias about the dentist or the dental examination itself develop in childhood and carry over into adulthood. Taking…
We can help make regular checkups or complex procedures less stressful with sedation dentistry. Call us for details.If you struggle with dental anxiety, then our sedation dentistry may be able to help. With sedation dentistry, we can help you relax and not feel any sensation while we work on your teeth. Our goal is to…
Dental anxiety affects millions of people in the U.S. This anxiety can often prevent patients from getting treatments that can keep oral diseases like tooth decay and gum disease away or prevents them from getting worse. Dental phobias can be the result of previous bad experiences with dentists, or they can be caused by a…
The fear of the dentist, often known as dental anxiety, is the leading cause of untreated tooth problems, among other things. The following are a few questions that you can ask your dentist regarding dental anxiety. Perhaps the answers will help you join the group of patients who do not mind going to the dentist.Dental…