Do you experience anxiety when you sit in a dental chair, open your mouth wide and say “Ahh”? Many people experience some fear of visiting the dentist, so you are not alone. Not only that, but there are procedures where your dentist will recommend sedation for you.
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help you relax. Depending on your anxiety, you can receive sedation for anything from a regular tooth cleaning to an invasive procedure. If you are in good general health and a good candidate for sedation, here is how it can help you:
Light Sedation: Dental anxiety is a genuine psychological condition where a patient has an irrational fear of dental procedures. In this situation your dentist may recommend a light sedation to calm your stress levels. You will be awake and relaxed.
Moderate Sedation: Some procedures require sitting for a long time, or are known for their discomfort. Having your wisdom teeth removed, for example, means you will be holding your mouth open for a long period of time. Moderate sedation puts you into a light sleep so that you don’t notice any discomfort. You may not remember much of the procedure afterwards.
Deep Sedation: During oral surgery, such as removing impacted wisdom teeth or extracting multiple teeth, you may require deep sedation where you are on the edge of consciousness but can still be awakened. Your dentist may also recommend this type if you are having a bone graft or dental implant.
In the right hands, sedation dentistry will allow you to feel relaxed and calm even under the most daunting of procedures. A happy side effect is that afterwards you may feel as though the procedure lasted minutes instead of hours!
So please don’t skip a needed dental procedure because of fear or anxiety. Call our office today and find out how we can help you have a positive dental experience! 513.229.7801.