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I Have Dental Phobia: Is Sedation Dentistry Right for Me?
Many people are afraid to go to the dentist, a phobia that affects as many as 20% of adults in industrialized countries.
If you’re wondering how to get through your next dental appointment more easily, it may be time to ask about sedation dentistry.
Downtown Dental Studio offers a variety of services, including sedation dentistry. However, this option isn’t for everyone. Here, the team takes a closer look at sedation dentistry so you can make an informed decision.
Sedation dentistry: Not like going to sleep
General anesthesia makes you fall asleep, and we only use it with procedures associated with severe pain, such as wisdom teeth removal; without general anesthesia, that would be unbearable even for someone with no dental phobia. But this type of anesthesia carries risks.
As such, providers don’t use general anesthesia unless they must. Instead, if you’re having a routine cleaning that doesn’t require general anesthesia, but you’re anxious about the procedure itself, other options are safer and wear off more quickly.
One of these is inhaled sedation, typically nitrous oxide. This type of sedation relaxes you but doesn’t make you sleep. If you don’t have a positive reaction to nitrous oxide, taking an oral medication (such as Valium) before the procedure can have a similar effect.
Sedation calms you while we work
Phobias surrounding dental visits often stem from patients’ fears of pain, even involving procedures that don’t typically hurt. This fear makes it impossible for a patient to relax enough for us to perform the procedure. Sedation dentistry can help with this.
When we use sedation dentistry before your procedure, you begin to feel calm. The fear and anxiety lessen considerably. Depending on the amount of sedation, you may feel awake and calm or enter a twilight state where you’re not quite asleep and not quite awake.
Once you’re calm, we clean your teeth or perform whatever procedure you require.
Good candidates for sedation dentistry
Is sedation dentistry right for you? Remember, there are multiple kinds of sedation dentistry, so discuss with your provider which is best for your needs. The answer may depend on the severity of your phobia and the condition we’re treating. But there are other considerations.
To start, you should be in relatively good health. In addition, your phobia should be strong enough that it warrants sedation.
For example, have you ever refused to go to the dentist for fear of experiencing pain or discomfort? Have you experienced physical symptoms of your phobia, such as shortness of breath or nausea? Then, sedation dentistry may be right for you.
Finally, consider the reasons you dread going to the dentist. Do you have a significant gag reflex, and has that made past visits difficult? Maybe it’s hard for you to open your mouth as wide as you need to, and that upsets you.
If something causes you to avoid getting the dental care you deserve, sedation dentistry may be right for you.
Ready to learn more about sedation dentistry?
Our team at Downtown Dental Studio is more than happy to discuss how this procedure can benefit you and what to expect. We can help determine which type of sedation is best for your needs and whether you’re healthy enough to undergo sedation safely.
For more information, call our office in New York City’s Financial District or book an appointment online today.
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