Sedation Dentistry—A Treatment Option for Dental Phobia and Anxiety
Dental phobia is a condition that causes someone to be afraid of the dentist, and it can cause people to avoid visiting the dentist due to anxiety, stress, and depression. This negatively affects their oral health by increasing the risk of decay and gum disease. Fortunately, there are different ways that a dentist near you can use to ease the anxiety, such as sedation dentistry.
What is Sedation Dentistry and Its Benefits?
Sedation is a term that refers to the process in which a patient experiences a calming or sleep-inducing effect. There are two types of sedation: general anesthesia and conscious sedation.
Getting sedation dentistry near you can make you feel more relaxed during procedures, reducing anxiety and enhancing the experience of care.
While it does not completely remove the fear, it can help patients feel more at ease, reducing their stress levels and making them more receptive to treatment. It also allows patients to focus on what’s happening without worrying about pain or anxiety while receiving care in the dental office near them.
It also helps reduce pain during procedures like fillings, tooth extractions, root canals, and endodontics.
It has been identified that the benefits of sedation dentistry include:
- Enhanced effectiveness: Sedatives help minimize anxiety before a procedure and make it easier to focus on the task at hand, leading to improved outcomes.
- Patients experience less pain from procedures resulting in a better quality of life for patients who suffer from chronic pain or other medical conditions.
Who Can Use Dental Sedation Treatment?
Anyone can use dental sedation, but it is most recommended for people who have:
- Severe dental phobia and anxiety
- Low threshold of pain
- A gag reflex that interferes with the dental procedure
- Tooth sensitivity
- Complex dental procedures
What Are the Different Types of Dental Sedation and What They Do?
Dental sedation is a procedure that alleviates pain and anxiety in patients, making them more comfortable during dental care. There are different types of sedation like general anesthesia, Nitrous oxide, oral pill, IV sedation.
- Inhaled or Laughing Gas Dental Sedation
The patient inhales the gas, called nitrous oxide or laughing gas. It is easy to administer and produces milder side effects. This makes it possible for a dentist in Murfreesboro to use it on both adults and children.
The gas works by slowing down the brain and muscles so that patients experience less pain. It is used in different procedures such as dental extractions, tooth filling, and root canal therapy.
- Oral or Pill Dental Sedation
Oral or pill dental sedation is a procedure where a dentist or oral surgeon administers anesthesia using an oral pill.
Pill dental sedation will help the patient maintain better concentration and focus on what has to be done during the procedure. It will also keep them calm and relaxed, which will result in better healing post-surgery.
- Intravenous (IV) Dental Sedation
IV dental sedation is a medication that is injected into the vein through a needle. The sedative does not induce sleep but puts the patient in a state of deep relaxation. This can be used for anxious patients, have an underlying medical condition that prevents them from sleeping, or are undergoing dental procedures like tooth extractions or fillings.
- General anesthesia or Sleep Sedation?
General anesthesia is a type of sedation in which the person is completely asleep and unaware of what is going on during the procedure. It causes a complete loss of consciousness and awareness during surgery or other medical procedures. It takes time to wear out, and Dr. Erwin M. Ricafort can use medications to reduce its effects.
What Are the Side Effects of Dental Sedation?
The most common side effects of dental sedation are nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. Other possible side effects are dizziness, fatigue, and muscle weakness. These problems will clear out in a few hours, but if they persist, visit an emergency dentist in Murfreesboro, TN, for assistance.
Schedule an Appointment
Visit Ricafort Dental for more information about dental sedation, its benefits, and what you can expect.