Many people have a very common phobia of the dentist. It causes people to postpone appointments that need to be made immediately until they develop into more serious issues. Thankfully, modern sedation dentistry allows for efficient, painless dental procedures. The advantages of sedation dentistry enable even the most uneasy patient to get through their worry and panic. We have several methods for putting the patient under, depending on the level of sedation required. The most popular ones include oral sedation, IV sedation, general anesthesia, inhaled sedation using nitrous oxide (laughing gas), and oral sedation. Each has advantages for particular circumstances, and for the uneasy patient, they can offer a variety of advantages you would not have thought of. When a dentist administers medicine to calm patients, it is called sedation dentistry or “sleep dentistry.” This drug may be administered orally as a tablet, intravenously, or under general anesthesia, resulting in mild to profound drowsiness. Depending on the surgery being performed and the patient’s level of anxiety, different types of sedation are employed. To make your experience more soothing and enjoyable, ask your dentist if sedation dentistry is an option if the notion of a routine cleaning sends you into a tailspin. As several factors can affect your ability to be sedated, be sure to speak with your NE Calgary dentist before your appointment. It will be crucial to go through your medical history with your dentist since certain conditions, such as diabetes, cardiac disease, and various respiratory illnesses, may prevent you from being sedated.
What are the benefits of dental sedation?
- Anxiety reduction – Reducing anxiety for some of our most anxious patients is one of the benefits of sedation dentistry. This removes one of the main reasons individuals fear seeing the dentist and enables them to work comfortably through their procedures. A variety of anxiety symptoms exist. While some patients experience only a small amount of pre-procedure anxiety, others feel utterly paralyzed by the dread that an oral treatment will be unbearable or even go tragically wrong. This keeps many people from getting the care they so desperately need. Although everyone can gain from an anesthetic, a patient will profit more if he feels worried before the treatment.
- Anterograde amnesia – Although amnesia may not always be the preferred result, it is a very desirable one in sedation dentistry. Many people have anxiety about going to the dentist usually derives from a bad childhood experience, and it usually worsens with each subsequent visit. This is particularly valid if the patient is in pain. Because the mind cannot make new memories, there can be no further development of fear with sedation dentistry. This may help even the patient’s worry on subsequent visits.
- Decrease in the gag reflex – A gag reflex is advantageous. Any intrusive, foreign object needs to be able to exit the throat. The gag reflex, however, can be problematic if a patient is fully aware while a dentist is performing work in his mouth. The gag reflex prohibits the dentist from doing certain procedures, such as reaching deep inside the oral cavity. Depending on what the dentist is doing, the patient’s spasms may result in damage. This is not a problem with sedation dentistry because the gag reflex is paralyzed. The patient will also be much more comfortable due to the dentist’s ability to work more quickly and effectively.
- Relieving pain – It makes sense that some people fear going to the dentist. Nobody enjoys experiencing dental or gum discomfort. The pain is entirely gone with sedation dentistry. While under the effect of potent sedatives and anesthetics, the brain cannot register pain. Everyone desires painless dental care. It’s one of several factors in the current craze for sedation dentistry.
- The dentist is more efficient – Strong sedatives and anesthetics will prevent a patient from wriggling around in the chair while the dentist is trying to do the procedure. This simplifies the process for both the dentist and the client. Because he won’t have to worry about how you’ll respond to the treatment, the dentist can work more quickly and effectively. He will be able to get you up from the chair and move toward recovery much more quickly. Therefore, you are probably a suitable candidate for sedation dentistry if you have been putting off getting some urgently needed dental work because you’re a bit anxious.
- Dental sedation is safe – When provided by qualified practitioners, sedation dentistry is a safe procedure with few adverse effects. The majority of dentists have received instructions on how to use laughing gas. However, dental health care workers need extra training to deliver oral and IV sedation. This indicates that you will be in capable hands with a reputable and well-trained expert.
- Recovery Periods Can Be Short – Your recovery time might range from being extremely short to just moderately quick, depending on the type of sedation dentistry you select. The effects of laughing gas last for around two minutes after you stop breathing it in. Oral and IV sedation takes longer, with IV sedation taking longer to wear off completely. However, you ought to feel fine after a restful night’s sleep.
- Great for special needs – Now, people who suffer from nervous system impairments like Sensory Processing Disorders or Autism Spectrum Disorders can visit in comfort and receive the support they require. In the past, persuading people with processing impairments to visit the dentist was difficult because their visits were painful and hypersensitive. With sedation dentistry, dentists can complete treatments or clean the teeth of children and adults with these problems.
Don’t let fear stop you from getting dental care. Cosmetic dentistry is only one aspect of maintaining your dental health; another is guarding against serious conditions like periodontitis that could compromise your general well-being. Contact your Calgary dentist in Martindale Smiles Dental in your area if you have anxiety about going to the dentist or are interested in learning more about the advantages of dental sedation. Call us at 587-356-0777 to book an appointment.
