7 reasons you should consider sedation dentistry or sleep dentistry

It's natural to feel nervous before a medical procedure, but have you considered easing your stress with sedation dentistry? Here's why you should try it.

Dental procedures can induce fear, anxiety and apprehension. It is not uncommon for patients to delay and ignore treatment due to crippling phobia.

If you do not want to consult a dentist due to fear, you should inquire about sleep dentistry.

This approach to dental treatment uses specialized medication for relaxation during procedures.

Understanding Sedation Levels

Sleep dentistry, also known as sedation dentistry, has different degrees of medication administration. The levels are chosen according to the needs of the patient.

Minimal sedation uses pharmaceuticals to induce relaxation, but one will remain awake. Moderate or conscious sedation  allows for the maintenance of consciousness.

But, the patient will forget most of the procedure. Deep sedation keeps the patient unconscious, but awakening is possible. In some cases, the dentist will use general dental anesthesia for complete sedation.

What are the Sleep Dentistry Options?

There are different methods through which dentists will administer sedatives for comfort. The most common option is inhalation of nitrous oxide dental gas.

This laughing gas induces minimal sedation. Oral sedation involves swallowing a pill. Dosage can be adjusted for various levels of sedation.

Finally, the dentist might administer an IV drug. This will allow for complete lack of unconsciousness during the procedure.

These pharmaceutical options can help you have more pleasant dental consultations.

As a result, your oral health will improve. Remember, if you are afraid of dentists, you are not alone. It’s natural to feel nervous before a medical procedure, but have you considered easing your stress with sedation dentistry? Here’s why you should try it.

1.Anxiety Control

Many people experience bouts of anxiety during dental visits. The unease can make them uncomfortable with treatment, increasing the risk of complications.

For some people, the anxiety is minimal and controllable. But, for some patients, their fear of dentists is overwhelming and crippling.

The fear can cause an individual to panic during the procedure. This can lead to dental trauma, and the quality of treatment might be compromised.

If you choose sedation, you can manage your anxiety. This will ensure comfort during the most daunting dental processes.

2.Pain Suppression

Pain is a primary concern during major dental procedures such as root canals, tooth removal and permanent dental implant installation.

If you are concerned about this issue, consider requesting for sedation. Dental surgery and other significant processes cannot be managed using local anesthesia only.

Sedation is crucial for minimizing the pain during the entire procedure. Minor dental procedures can be carried out using a local anesthetic only.

Still, the insertion of the needle can cause pain. This is common in sensitive individuals like children. 

3.Trigger Management

Dental clinics have many triggers which can induce unpleasant emotions. It is difficult for most people to remain calm because of the sounds, smells and even sights in a dental office.

For instance, the sound of a whirling drill can cause even a collected adult to feel afraid. Sedation is crucial because it minimizes the impact of the triggers in the dental clinic.

If a patient is medicated, the fight or flight response will not be triggered. As a result, the treatment will have fewer mishaps.

4.Amnesia Inducement

Amnesia is desirable in dental treatment because the memories are never pleasant. After all, most people develop a fear of dentists because of a single unpleasant experience.

The mental trauma remains and causes aversion to oral health care. Sedation will prevent more trauma and manage the past mental scars. In simple terms, it is possible to induce anterograde amnesia.

This process involves using the twilight anesthesia technique. The dentist will apply a small dose of general anesthesia to prevent the formation of fresh memories during the specific procedure. As a result, no traumatic remnants of the treatment will linger.

5.Gag Reflex Control

If your gag reflex is sensitive, you might find dental check-ups and procedures uncomfortable. You will feel the undeniable urge to choke and sputter when anything is placed in the mouth.

This could make simple procedures like taking dental impressions unbearable.

Sleep dentistry options like oral sedatives, nitrous oxide and intravenous drugs can help one to relax during treatment. The medication will paralyze the gagging response for a period.

So, your natural response to oral intrusion will not act up. This will cut the risk of complications arising.

6.Multiple Procedures

A person with extensive dental damage might need several sessions before complete repair.

This can be attributed to the fact that performing many dental procedures at once can be distressing for the patient.

Most patients will not be able to bear the pain of continuous treatment. Also, the fatigue of a prolonged session on the dentist’s chair can be overwhelming. Dental anesthesia will help in keeping a patient calm and comfortable for longer processes.

In simple terms, your dentist can combine multiple procedures into one visit. You will enjoy lower costs, fewer visits and shortened cumulative recovery period.

7.Faster Dental Work

Dental work often takes longer than it should because of squirming and fidgeting patients. Typically, the scary tools used by dentists can be unnerving even if local anesthesia is injected into the gums to suppress pain.

Most people will shrink away from the dentists even when there is no apparent pain. The nervous reactions can cause a lot of time wastage.

The procedures will not be completed with efficiency because of the constant movement.

Sedation dentistry is invaluable in keeping patients calm and preventing nervousness from affecting the work. As a result, if you choose the use of sedation, your dental visits will be shorter.

Overcoming More than Fear

Sleep dentistry is not only beneficial for managing fear and anxiety in people of all ages. It is also an invaluable approach for those with disorders which can make dental care hard.

For instance, autistic people and those with sensory disorders might find treatment unbearable.

Sedation has transformed dental care for this vulnerable group. The medication makes it possible for the affected people to feel more comfortable.

If you would like to learn about sedation dentistry and how it can be beneficial for you and your loved ones, contact us for more information.