Sedation Dentistry

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is a method of providing a more relaxing and lower stress experience for those who are afraid of receiving dental care. It is estimated that 30 percent of the population avoids the dentist because of a fear of pain or because of a traumatic dental experience earlier in life. Neglecting routine dental exams can lead to extensive problems with the teeth in the long term.

How Sedation Dentistry Works

By definition, sedation is the process of easing someone into a calm state through the use of anti-anxiety medications and nitrous oxide. With the level of sedation that is offered through a general dentist most patients are awake through their procedures, however, they often do not remember anything afterward, which aids in lowering anxiety. After a sedation, the patient will need to be driven home by a friend or family member.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

One of the biggest benefits of sedation dentistry is allowing the patient to wake up relaxed and have no sense of how long the procedure took or how it felt, making it more likely the person will keep up with routine exams. Taking care of the teeth and mouth is crucial to overall health as tooth decay and gum problems are connected to other disease processes in the body.

Those who have anxiety about visiting the dentist have the option of choosing sedation for a more relaxing appointment.