It’s understandable that many people are apprehensive about going to the dentist. The tools with names you don’t know, the inability to see anything, or the unfortunate ability to hear or feel everything can leave anyone feeling out of sorts. There is nothing quite like fearing a place that’s quintessential for your overall health, but fortunately, we have options for people who are afraid of the dentist.
Our team of compassionate dental providers at Expressions In Dentistry in Folsom, California, see numerous nervous patients. Fortunately, our providers offer sedation dentistry, a safe and easy way to make it through your dental worries. Sedation dentistry primarily appeals to people with dental phobia, but in some cases, it’s necessary for patient safety.
People have been nervous about going to the dentist for a long time. As early as Massachusetts in 1844, nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, was used to calm patients before dental procedures. Later, dental professionals developed a way to intravenously deliver a mild anesthesia that didn’t induce a deep sleep.
Sedation dentistry gives your provider the ease of being able to work fluidly and efficiently to complete your cleaning, crown, or any service for your oral health. Before we recommend sedation dentistry to you, your provider sits with you for a consultation.
During your consultation, your provider will review with you the two types of sedation dentistry that we offer. Nitrous oxide is a popular choice because of its ease of use, including its gas form, which doesn’t require a needle. Nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and delivered through a nasal mask. The gas enters your lungs, where it absorbs into the bloodstream, causing euphoria and muscle relaxation.
Intravenous conscious sedation is available to those who aren’t candidates for the nitrous oxide treatment. A tiny insertion is made in your arm, creating an entry for the cannula at the end of the IV tube. Within the IV bag is a precisely controlled sedative that alters your state of mind, drastically reducing any possible pain or anxiety.
Though sedation dentistry may seem like an easy choice for anyone, your consultation is the most important step in determining whether or not sedation dentistry is right for you. Drug interactions and biological factors, such as pregnancy or diabetes, also must be considered in the interest of protecting your health.
Besides its ability to soothe nervous patients, sedation dentistry is used in most dental surgeries and during complex procedures, allowing you to better relax. Gone are the days of painful dental extractions and root canals: Sedation dentistry allows you to completely relax during the most difficult part of the procedure and sail through your time with us in deeply pleasant thought.
Sedation dentistry is used to treat people with special needs. People with special needs may or may not have a visible disability. Some people, especially young children, are prone to the physical effects of ADHD, and aren’t able to be still for longer than a few minutes at a time.
Special needs include physical, cognitive, sensory, mental, emotional, or behavioral impairments that require holistic and medical management, as well as special specialized services. People living with Down syndrome, autism, or an Alzheimer’s disorder also benefit from sedation dentistry.
An estimated 30% of people in the US have apprehension when it comes to seeing the dentist, and we understand how hard that can be. Without regular dental care, you’re at risk for infections and long-term consequences. If you’re nervous about going to the dentist, but are in need of care, contact us today at 916-252-9186, or book an appointment with us online.
