Some research estimates that 50 to 80% of U.S. adults have some degree of dental anxiety—and we don’t take it personally! As the connection between dental health and overall health has become accepted as fact in the medical and dental communities, the popularity of sedation dentistry as a treatment solution for those who dread the dentist has also increased in popularity. Dupont Family Dentistry just wants every patient to feel as comfortable as possible during their dental treatment.
Sedation techniques have been used in dentistry since, well, the beginning. Dupont Family Dentistry offers four sedation options—nitrous oxide (laughing gas), oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia.
Sedation Options
- Nitrous Oxide/Laughing Gas: Nitrous oxide is breathed through a mask during your appointment. When the appointment ends, you breathe oxygen through the mask for a few minutes to clear your head—it may feel clearer than it did when you came in! When nitrous oxide is used, it will be safe to drive yourself home—and as an added bonus, you may experience some giggling.
- Oral Sedation: Oral sedation is prescribed in advance, and we usually instruct you to take it an hour or two before your appointment. The drugs used for oral sedation are usually benzodiazepines (or “benzos”) such as Valium, Halcion, Xanax, or Ativan. This class of drug works to decrease activity in regions of the brain that are responsible for feelings of fear.
- IV Sedation: For more complex procedures or for individuals experiencing severe dental anxiety, IV sedation offers a higher level of relaxation. This technique enables us to customize the sedation levels as required, ensuring maximum comfort during the procedure.
- General Anesthesia: For extensive procedures or for patients with intense dental anxiety, general anesthesia may be recommended. A trained, board-certified anesthesiologist will administer the anesthesia, rendering you completely unconscious during the treatment. As a result, you won't retain any memory of the procedure.
Some sedation options may require additional requirements, such as a mandatory driver to and from your appointment or a review of all medications you take.
Dental Anxiety
The type of sedation you choose will depend on your individual needs and preferences. If you’re fearful of “going under”, rest assured that is NOT what sedation dentistry is like at our office. Dental sedation is designed to put you in a comfortable, self-sufficient, dreamlike state where you remain more or less “awake” and able to respond to the doctor. It controls pain, calms you, and helps you relax. Sedation can make details of your visit a little fuzzy.
Sedation doesn’t just alleviate dental anxiety. It can also make dental treatment more tolerable for patients with a high tolerance to anesthesia, sore jaws, and strong reflexes. Longer appointments with more extensive dental work can be less stressful for both doctor and patient with the balm of sedation dentistry.
If you think sedation dentistry could make dental care easier for you and want to find out more, give call us at (260) 489-1100, or schedule a free consultation.
