Lots of people wish they could sleep through their dental appointment, rather than endure potential discomfort or the sound of the dentist’s drill.
Sedation dentistry is working to take the bite out of dental fear.
“Fear of pain keeps a number of people from visiting the dentist regularly,’” said Overland Park cosmetic dentist Dr. Alberto Castaneda. “Sedation dentistry helps alleviate that fear.”
Sedation dentistry has become a welcome option for patients who have endured prior bad experiences, uncomfortable procedures or who simply fear the dentist.
There are several types of sedation dentistry offered at Castaneda’s Overland Park dental office.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation allows the dental patient to undergo procedures while being in a state of reduced awareness.
“We prescribe patients a sedative pill, which they take about an hour before their procedure,” said Castaneda, a Overland Park implant dentistry provider. “By the time they arrive for their appointment, the pill has helped relax the patient.”
Upon arrival, Castaneda may administer more pills, depending on the effectiveness of the first pill and the patient’s anxiety level.
Although oral conscious sedation often is billed as a way to sleep through the dental procedure, this isn’t actually the case, said the Overland Park dental professional. Instead, the patient remains able to respond to their dentist. However, they likely won’t remember anything about the procedure upon completion.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is similar to oral sedation, except that the anti-anxiety sedatives are administered intravenously. IV sedatives take effect much more rapidly than oral sedatives. Once they take effect, Castaneda can administer the local anesthesia and begin the procedure.
Nitrous Oxide
Also referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is another form of anesthetic commonly used in Castaneda’s dental practice. As a precaution, Castaneda advises patients receiving nitrous oxide not to eat anything for two hours prior to their dental appointment.
It is administered through a small mask the patient wears over their nose. The patient breathes in through the nose and out through the mouth to get the benefits of the gas, which typically set in within 30 seconds to four minutes.
Once the patient feels sedated and is relaxed, Castaneda can administer injections if necessary and begin treatment. Upon completion of the treatment, the patient is given pure oxygen to breathe for about five minutes. Unlike other forms of sedation, a patient receiving nitrous oxide almost always is able to drive themselves home from their appointment after treatment.
Sedation Dentistry Benefits
Sedation dentistry has been a welcome option to fearful patients because it can be used for a variety of procedures, including crowns, fillings, dental implants and veneers. Fearful patients often will know that they need these procedures done, but anxiety prevents them from scheduling the appointment. The longer the condition goes untreated, the more likely it is to worsen and require more in-depth treatment.
For example, a patient may have a simple cavity that needs to be filled. But because of fear, the patient doesn’t schedule the appointment to get a filling. If enough time passes, the tooth becomes more painful and what once could have been repaired with a filling now requires a crown or perhaps a root canal.
“It’s a downward spiral,” Castaneda said. “They don’t seek treatment because they fear a painful procedure, yet the longer they wait, the more invasive and potentially uncomfortable procedure is required to correct the problem.”
Sedation dentistry also is great when fearful patients need more than one procedure done. It’s often better for the patient if Castaneda can perform several procedures during one visit, rather than having to endure the fear of several follow-up appointments over the course of several days or weeks.
Learn More
If you would like to learn more about sedation dentistry, Dr. Alberto Castaneda or you wish to schedule an appointment for a free consultation, please call (913) 268-1337, or visit his Web site: http://www.discoverdentalcare.com/.
About Dr. Alberto Castaneda
Dr. Alberto Castaneda graduated from The University of Missouri- Kansas City School of Dentistry in 1992 and in 1994, received a certificate in advanced education in general dentistry. He trained under some of the nation’s most prominent specialists during his residency at Mt. Sinai Hospital in Hartford, Conn.
Dr. Castaneda is a certified Invisalign provider and his memberships have included: American Dental Association, Kansas Dental Association, American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, American Orthodontics Society, Appliance Therapy Practitioners Association and Academy of General Dentistry, to name a few.
He has been named a top dentist in the Consumer’s Research Council of America’s “Guide to America’s Top Dentists.” He also has been nominated previously for Kansas City’s “Super Dentist” by Kansas City Magazine.
Dr. Castaneda entered private practice in 1994 and opened his current location at 21620 Midland Dr. In Shawnee, Kansas in 2003.
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Sedation Dentistry is what I’ve been looking for, I just didn’t know the term. I am terrified of any kind of dental work and my oral hygiene has suffered as a result.
Sedation can start quickly and last as long as necessary. The sedation can be quickly tailored to alterations in the patient’s state of consciousness. Oral sedation is the easiest form of sedation dentistry, and therefore the most commonly available. You will be given a pill, usually a prescription sleeping pill, that will help you relax during the procedure.