How Sedation Dentistry Can Decrease Dental Fears

Going to the dentist is an intimidating experience for many, especially kids. Dental phobias are quite common and can make it difficult for the patients who actually need dental work to get the care they need. Luckily, there are various sedation options for patients with dental fears that helps them relax and feel comfortable throughout their procedure. Oral sedation, IV sedation and laughing gas are some of the most common ways that patients reduce their anxiety so that they can receive appropriate dental care. Find out how sedation dentistry works and how it can decrease your dental fears with this guide!

How Does Sedation Dentistry Work?

More than 75 million people in the United States have dental fears, and nearly 30% of these people don’t receive the dental care that they need for fear of the dentist. In relation to oral health, that’s a frightening number to consider since dental care is essential to prevent tooth decay, gum disease and oral cancer. To help dental patients overcome their fears, sedation dentistry has become a popular trend among millions of Americans to help them receive the dental care that they need. Sedation dentistry is used in short dental procedures to induce relaxation and reduce the stress and tension that patients feel when having their teeth poked and prodded. Anesthesia is typically used in sedation dentistry to produce the desired effects and help the mind and body relax during the procedure. Children are often the beneficiaries of anesthesia and sedation dentistry since they usually have more fears of the dentist than adults do, and this can make their dental visit a much quicker and stress-free experience for both parent and child. Sedation dentistry isn’t just for relaxation, though. There are medications used to control pain, some put you in a dream-like sleep state and others just help you feel calm. Depending on your needs and the type of procedure that you’ll be receiving, you can choose from more than four sedation treatments to get the results that you want. Each sedation option is monitored by a dental professional and is safe to use on children and adults alike.

Types of Sedation

Although there are many types of sedation out there, it’s important to know what each one does and what their side effects are. Some options last for less than an hour while others can last for hours on end, depending on the procedure and the sedation you choose. One of the most common sedation treatments is laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, and it works by reducing your anxiety during a dental procedure without putting you to sleep. Termed “laughing gas” due to its notoriety for making patients giddy and giggly, nitrous oxide is typically administered by a machine but can be combined with local injections of anesthesia depending on the needs of the patient. Pills and liquid medications that you take orally are considered enteral sedation, and they’re often combined with nitrous oxide to produce the intended effects. This includes medicines like lorazepam, valium, hydroxyzine and zaleplon, which all can be taken in pill form. Most patients stay awake when using enteral sedation but they are just in a relaxed, serene state. Next, IV sedation offers deeper sedation by injecting the sedative directly into your vein. You will still be awake during the procedure but not aware of what’s going on. There is a small recovery time after using IV sedation before you can go home, but it’s an easy way to reduce anxiety during dental work. Lastly, general anesthesia is a sedation option that puts you to sleep entirely throughout the procedure and requires recovery time in the office before you can leave. Drugs are directly released into your vein, similar to IV sedation, and it’s often accompanied with a gaseous anesthetic that you inhale. General anesthesia is typically used for invasive treatments like oral surgery or dental work that require a lot of time and precision.

Your dentist will be certified in sedation dentistry and have completed continuing education courses to stay up-to-date for sedation dentistry treatments. This can provide you the peace of mind that your dentist knows what they’re doing and has the ability to perform the dental work that you need in the most appropriate and safe way possible.

The Importance of Regular Dental Care

Now that we understand what sedation dentistry is, the options that you have to choose from and what to expect during treatment, it’s important to note that dental care is not only a want but a need for optimal oral health. Whether you’re having your teeth cleaned, are needing a tooth pulled or having bite issues, meeting with the dentist should be a top priority for you. Dental checkups are recommended every six months, or twice a year, but they are extremely efficient at preventing long-term oral health problems like decay and disease. All that’s required of you is that you show up for two visits twice a year and your teeth will be much better off than if you just brush and floss at home. Sedation dentistry offers patients with dental fears the opportunity to get the care they need without having to carry the stress and anxiety that they’ve experienced at past dental visits. Whether you’ve had negative experiences in the past or you’re worried about an upcoming root canal or tooth extraction, sedation dentistry eliminates those worries and help you relax so that you have the best experience possible.

Have A Stress-Free Dental Visit With Our Help!

At Stonebrook Family Dental, we offer a variety of sedation dentistry options for both kids and adults so that their dental visits can be successful and stress-free. You and your family don’t need to worry about annoying pokes and prods when you use sedation dentistry during your visit. We can ensure that you’ll receive the best dental care at the best price for Call our office at (303) 872-7907 to schedule a dental checkup and get the care that you deserve!