3 Vital Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Apr 10, 2023
Do you get anxious when you think about visiting the dentist? You’re not unusual — about 36% of people in the United States have a fear of dental treatment. For 12% of people, that fear is extreme.
Here at Tropical Dental Care, one method of relieving that fear is sedation dentistry, or the use of medication to help you relax before a dental procedure.
We offer three forms of sedation dentistry, including nitrous oxide (laughing gas), which works as soon as you inhale it and wears off quickly when the procedure is over. With oral sedation, you take a pill about an hour before your procedure that relaxes your body. You’ll remain conscious, but may not be fully aware of your surroundings. IV sedation delivers medication directly into your bloodstream during the procedure; you may even fall asleep.
Now that you know what sedation dentistry is, here are three vital benefits of the practice:
If unpleasant experiences in the past have caused you to feel anxious about going to the dentist, sedation dentistry can give you the means you need to make sure your needed dental work is completed. You’ll feel calm and relaxed before, during, and after the procedure, and the best part is you won’t remember much of the experience, so your brain won’t build up any new fears, and this may improve your next visit.
If you are calmed down with sedatives, you’re much less likely to be moving around in the chair or reacting to your treatment. This will enable the dentist to work more quickly and efficiently since they don’t have to worry about your reactions to every move they make. Because you’re relaxed and comfortable, the dentist may even be able to combine procedures that would normally take two visits into one visit, and this will end up saving you time and money.
Sedation dentistry is a remarkable tool for both child and adult patients who may have autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, or other conditions that affect their nervous system. Their dental experiences without sedation dentistry could include real discomfort and hypersensitivity, but with sedation, dentists can more easily complete their work so these patients can get the treatment they need.
If you’re nervous about going to the dentist, our team at Tropical Dental Care would love to help you through your fears with sedation dentistry. Just call our office or request an appointment with our online scheduler, and be sure to mention you want to use one of our sedation techniques. It’ll be over before you know it!