Are You A Candidate for Dental Sedation?

Many people experience fear or anxiety leading up to their scheduled dentist appointment. This fear can get in the way of them making and keeping dental appointments, which can create a vicious cycle of poor oral health. If you are anxious about the dentist, your oral health shouldn’t suffer as a result. There are many options for those who have dental fear and anxiety, including dental sedation.

The first step is to speak to your dentist. They have likely had experience with nervous patients before, as well as with sedation dentistry. There are several different options when it comes to sedation dentistry, ranging from:

• Inhaled sedation: Also known as “laughing gas”, with inhaled sedation the patient inhales nitrous oxide combined with oxygen. This leaves the patient conscious and awake, but in a more relaxed state.
• Oral sedation: Oral sedation can range in its effects, but is induced by a pill taken orally. Oral sedation will usually leave the patient awake, but very drowsy.
• IV moderate sedation: With IV sedation, the dose is completely controlled by the dentist and enters the patient’s body through a vein. IV sedation will leave the patient barely conscious, yet still in a state where they can be awakened.
• General anaesthesia: With general anaesthesia, the patient will be completely unconscious.

The type of sedation dentistry used has to do with the kind of procedure being performed, as well as the patient’s level of fear. You may be a candidate for sedation dentistry if you are:

• Extremely afraid/phobic of the dentist: This could range from mild anxiety, to full on panic. If you are afraid of seeing the dentist in any way, sedation dentistry can help you still take care of your teeth, without having to be afraid.
• Afraid of needles: A fear of needles may prevent the application of a local anaesthetic, which is administered via a needle in the gums.
• Sensitivity: If you have very sensitive teeth or gums, sedation dentistry may be the only option for proper pain management. Also, if you suffer from any physical pain such as a bad back or neck, lying in the dentist’s chair may become painful. Sedation dentistry can help keep you relaxed and pain-free during your dental procedure.

Sedation dentistry is a great option for those who experience any anxiety, fear, or have any pain or discomfort associated with seeing the dentist. If you think you may be a candidate for sedation dentistry, speak to your dentist today!