Sedation dentistry is most commonly known as something to help patients suffering from dental anxiety. While it’s a great solution for dental fear, sedation dentistry comes with multiple other benefits as well. Dr. David J. Weinstock, a dentist in Bala Cynwyd, PA, highlights what you should know about sedation dentistry.
What is it?
Sedation dentistry is the use of medication to keep you calm and relaxed throughout one or more dental procedures. In most dental offices, you can get nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, for sedation. It’s inhaled through the nose and takes effect quickly. You’ll be relaxed but alert enough to answer any questions the dentist may have for you. It also wears off quickly, so you don’t need someone to drive you home.
Oral conscious sedation is given in the form of a prescribed pill you take about an hour before your procedure. It provides deeper relaxation and is also sometimes used in tandem with laughing gas. While it isn’t designed to put you to sleep, you may be relaxed enough to fall asleep during the procedure. There may be parts of it, too, that you don’t remember. Oral sedation takes a bit to wear off, so you’ll need a ride to and from the office.
Sedation Dentistry for Dental Anxiety
The primary use for sedation dentistry is to help those that suffer from a fear of the dentist. Many people have this fear and the severity of it occurs on a spectrum. For some patients, it’s something specific, like the noise of a dental drill, that causes it. Others are triggered simply by the look, smell, and general environment of a dental office.
Some people avoid regular dental checkups altogether because of their anxiety. This can lead to more severe dental problems down the road that take more time to fix. Sedation dentistry allows patients with dental fear to get the regular care they need and to get any issues fixed that arise due to avoiding regular dental visits.
Other Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry doesn’t just benefit those suffering from dental fear. It’s also a great option for patients that have a severe gag reflex. Though it’s unintentional, those with a gag reflex make it difficult for a dentist to do thorough work, as the mouth is fighting against them. Sedation dentistry helps to relax this reflex so that the needed procedures can be completed.
There are other medical conditions and issues that can make it difficult to get certain dental procedures done. If children need more advanced treatments done that take a lot of time, sedation dentistry can help them to sit still. There are also patients with certain medical conditions that can benefit from this as well.
Sedation Dentistry at Your Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania Dentist
Do you think you’d be a patient that benefits from sedation dentistry? Call us or schedule an appointment online today.