Everything About Sedation dentistry

Do you always feel anxious when you think of dental visits? Sedation dentistry can help you overcome your dental phobia and have a pleasant dental visit. Besides, it can help the dentist as well. Read on to know more.

What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry refers to the use of medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. Sedation can help patients feel at ease during their appointment so they can get the treatment they need. Sedation dentistry can also help patients who suffer from severe dental anxiety. It can help patients overcome their fears so that they can get the treatment they need to stay healthy.

Besides helping patients overcome dental fear, sedation dentistry can benefit the dentist as well. Some patients find dental visits to be anxiety-inducing because they can’t relax. This can cause patients to become restless and uncooperative, which can make procedures more difficult for the dentist. Sedation dentistry relaxes and calms down patients, making the treatments smoother. 

Benefits of sedation dentistry

The benefits of sedation dentistry include:

• Reduced anxiety
• Improved comfort
• Better pain management
• Fast treatment
• Reduced bleeding
• Improved safety
• Reduced need for local anesthesia
• Improved treatment acceptance

Types of sedation dentistry

• Oral Conscious Sedation

During oral conscious sedation, you’ll take a pill about an hour before your appointment. By the time you arrive at our office, you will be in a deeply relaxed state. 

Oral conscious sedation is a great option if you have dental anxiety or low pain tolerance.

• Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Nitrous Oxide Sedation or laughing gas is inhaled through a mask. A dental professional will control the amount of sedation. The patient will start to feel effects 45 to 60 seconds after the mask is placed.

• IV Sedation

IV sedation is administered intravenously and is a helpful option for patients who may have severe dental anxiety or phobia. Patients who elect IV sedation for dental treatments typically receive anti-anxiety or pain medication via IV delivery. While under IV sedation, patients feel completely relaxed and may receive amnesiac effects from the medication or amnesiac effects due to being in a deeply relaxed state.

• General Anesthesia

If you have a severe dental phobia or the inability to sit through dental treatment, then general anesthesia may be the best option. With general anesthesia, you’ll sleep through the procedure and won’t feel anything.

Who should get sedation dentistry?

Anyone who is afraid of the dentist or has had a bad dental experience in the past might want to consider sedation. It is especially beneficial for the following people:

• Those who are worried about being awake while dental work is performed
• Patients who have trouble sitting still for long periods of time
• Those who are very anxious at the dentist
• Those with sensitive teeth or gums, making treatment more difficult

Patients who suffer from dental anxiety often put off going to the dentist. However, sedation dentistry makes it easy for patients to get necessary procedures done without anxiety. During sedation, patients may feel groggy and sleepy, but they won’t feel any pain. Patients can schedule their procedure in a way that fits into their busy schedule without having to worry about any pain or anxiety.

To learn more about sedation dentistry, visit the ZM Dental office at 14502 N Dale Mabry Hwy #102, Tampa, FL 33618. You can also reach us at (813) 513-5045 and schedule an online appointment.