Minimize Dental Anxiety with Sedation Dentistry
If you feel anxious about going to the dentist, you are not alone; an estimated 30 to 40 million Americans avoid necessary dental treatment because of dental anxiety. Some individuals are so afraid of dental treatment that they endure pain or embarrassment rather than seek dental care. Unfortunately, these people do not know what many others are learning- Dentistry does not have to be painful or scary! Advancements in dentistry, combined with an array of sedation options, is making dental treatment easier than ever, even for the most apprehensive patient. Let's learn more...
The Spectrum of Sedation
Sedation in dentistry encompasses a very broad spectrum, from Anxiolysis, or a minimally depressed state of awareness, to Deep Sedation, or an unconscious state in which a patient does not maintain their own reflexes or breath on their own. The former may be accomplished with Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas) or a single dose of a mild sedative, such as Valium or Xanax, while deep sedation (General Sedation) is reserved for a hospital or surgery center setting, and must be administered by an anesethesiologist. While some dentistry is performed under general anesthesia, it is usually reserved for pediatric and special needs patients. In the middle of the sedation spectrum is Conscious Sedation, which is a depressed level of consciousness whereby the patient breathes on their own, has intact reflexes, and responds to verbal and physical stimuli. Conscious sedation, whether administered by an oral or intravenous (I.V.) route, is very effective in treating fearful dental patients. Because of the ease of administration (no needles), the effectiveness and proven track record of the protocols, and the high degree of safety, we have adopted Oral Conscious Sedation into our practice of dentistry.
Oral Sedation Dentistry- A Reason to Dream
Mild to moderate sedation is achieved through the use of various sedative medications, often combined with Nitrous Oxide. There are numerous protocols and medications available, which allows us to customize the experience to match each patient's physiological and pharmacological needs, as well as the level of sedation needed. Through the use of a single medication or a combination of drugs, sedation appointments can be tailored for short visits for cleanings or a few fillings, or for more involved treatments that can last for hours. In addition to the sedative (relaxing) effect of the medications used, most of the medications have a mild amnesiac effect, so that patients remember very few details of their visit. While some patients may drift in and out of sleep during their visit, the term "Sleep Dentistry" is inappropriate, as patients should always be able to verbally and physically respond to cues and questions from the dentist or our team members. Because of the relaxed state of the patient, it is often possible to accomplish more treatment in a shorter time, or to complete a large amount of needed treatment in a single visit, either of which is appreciated by the nervous or anxious patient. Other reasons that patients might opt for oral sedation dentistry are time constraints or extensive treatment needs, difficulty in getting numb, a severe gag reflex, jaw soreness or physical limitations such as back or neck pain.