Is Sedation Dentistry for You?

by | Feb 5, 2019 | Dentist

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Everyone gets anxious at the thought of visiting their dentist. However, some people are really terrified of dentists or anything related to dental procedures. Sedation dentistry can help patients in Sterling feel more relaxed while on the dental chair.

Sedation Dentistry in a Nutshell

Sedation dentistry helps patients relax during dental procedures by administering them with calming medications. It is sometimes referred to as sleep dentistry, but this is not very accurate as patients are usually awake during the whole procedure. Those who are under general anesthesia are the only exception.

Types of Sedation Used in Dentistry

There are several types of sedation dentistry. Here are some of the most common ones:

  • Laughing gas (nitrous oxide)
  • Enteral sedation
  • IV sedation
  • General anesthesia

Some patients may prefer general anesthesia so they can sleep during the whole procedure. However, this type of anesthesia comes with many potential risks and side-effects.

Who Needs Sedation Dentistry?

Patients choose sedation dentistry for many reasons. Some of them are:

  • Extreme fear of doctors
  • Chronic jaw pain
  • Strong gag reflex
  • Sensitive oral nerves
  • General anxiety disorder
  • Neck and back problems that prevent patients from holding their jaws at a certain angle
  • Strong resistance to local anesthetic

Sedation dentistry has helped many patients in Sterling get through painful dental procedures such as tooth extractions, dental implantations, root canals, and more.

Choosing a Sedation Dentist

If you experience extreme anxiety every time you visit a dental clinic, you might want to look for a qualified sedation dentist near you. However, you need to keep in mind certain things when looking for a dentist.

Most dentists can administer nitrous oxide. However, other types of sedation need additional training. With that being said, sedation dentistry treatments should only be performed by dentists who are trained in sedation procedures.

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