It’s been a routine part of clinical dentistry for several decades, but most people are still unaware of the benefits of dental sedation. While typically recommended for patients who experience dental fear or anxiety, sedation can also offer an advantage for patients with a wide variety of dental needs. Ranging from mild nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to more potent oral conscious sedation, your dentist can suggest an appropriate type and level of sedation to suit your specific needs. For answers to more questions about dental sedation, be sure to ask your dentist about its benefits during your next regularly scheduled visit.
Can sedation really help me relax at the dentist’s office?
Patients who exhibit dental anxiety, fear, or phobia may hesitate or outright neglect to seek necessary dental treatment, which can allow minor dental conditions to quickly blossom into more serious oral health issues. Dental sedation helps you remain calm and comfortable while visiting your dentist so that you can receive the expert dental care you need, when you need it.
Can sedation help me even if I’m not anxious?
Even if you are not anxious or scared about visiting the dentist, sedation can still benefit you if you are undergoing complex restorative or reconstructive dental work. In addition to calming fears, dental sedation can also help you remain comfortable and still in the dentist’s chair for longer periods of time. This will allow your dentist to perform more or all of your procedure at one time, reducing your number of visits and the amount of time you must take off of school or work for dental health reasons.
What procedures usually call for sedation?
With the exception of dealing with dental fear, dental sedation is typically recommended for complex procedures such as root canal treatment, surgical tooth extraction, and dental implant placement, among many others. However, if you are undergoing a less extensive procedure but still wish to opt for sedation, then your dentist will likely be able to accommodate you.