If you harbor a strong fear of your dentist, you are not alone. millions of Americans fail to receive the dental care they need because of sever dental anxiety. In fact, approximately 30% of all Americans are so afraid of the dentist that even serious oral pain will not get them to seek proper treatment.
Fortunately, you do not need to fear the dentist anymore. A new procedure called conscious sedation dentistry allows you to receive the treatment you need without experienceing the pain and discomfort that has made you afraid of your dentist for so many years.Ideal Candidate for Sedation Dentistry
You are an ideal candidate for sedation dentistry if you are over 18 and show signs of:
- Dental anxiety
- Sensitive teeth
- Difficulty getting numb
- Complex dental issues
- Dental phobias(fear of needles and drill noise)
- Limited time to complete dental work
- Traumatic dental experiences
- Difficulty controlling movement (from conditions such as Parkinson’s disease or cerebral palsy)
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you must inform your dentist at your initial consultation. Your condition may make sedation dentistry unsafe for you.
Sedation Dentistry Methods
Conscious sedation dentistry is very safe and should always be performed by a trained sedation dentist. Your dentist will monitor your vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, breathing and oxygen level) throughout the procedure. Frequently, you will be able to talk to your dentist about the procedure while he is working on your teeth, but you will not remember much once it is done.
There are three types of sedation methods commonly used in conscious sedation dentistry:
- Oral Sedation: Oral sedatives administered just before treatment will greratly reduce your anxiety in the dentist’s chair. These drugs are frequently given along with a loca anesthetic to numb the pain.
- Intravenous (IV) Sedation: If you prefer, your sedation medication can be given through IV. This method is also accompanied by local anesthetic.
- Inhalation Sedation: Nitrous oxide gas (laughing gas) is used to place you in a more relaxed state while in the dentist’s chair. Local anesthetic will be used along with the nitrous to eliminate the pain.
If you prefer to be unconscious for your dental procedure, you can receive a general anesthesia. This method will make you completely unaware of what is going on during your procedure.
If you are considering sedation dentistry in the Kansas City, Kansas area, please visit the website of Discover Dental Care today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Alberto Castaneda.
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