All frequently, a planned visit to the dentist is looked on with a degree of dread and foreboding. This is referred to as dental anxiety.
Dental anxiety is not utoo nusual, for it is quite natural for a person to be uncomfortable when placed in a position in which they feel that they are vulnerable, as may occur during a dental appointment.
It is important that you tell Dr. Williams if you have any dental anxiety related to your planned dental treatment. Keeping your fears hidden can only lead to a much more unpleasant experience for you and, in more extreme circumstances, may even increase the likelihood of certain emergencies occurring, such as fainting.
Once Dr. Williams is aware of your dental anxiety and fears, there are many ways in which they may be addressed. In some cases, simply discussing the planned procedure is all that is necessary to alleviate your dental anxiety. After all, Dr. Williams has been trained in all the latest techniques to make your apppointment comfortable. Dr. Williams and his entire Staff is committed to taking really good care of you.
When this is not enough, other highly effective and safe sedation techniques can be used to alleviate dental anxiety. The most readily available routes of conscious sedation are: inhalation and oral.
Inhalation Conscious Sedation Dentistry
The use of inhalation conscious sedation (nitrous oxide and oxygen) has been a mainstay of sedation techniques in dentistry for generations and still represents the most frequently employed technique. Commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide-oxygen is used by more than 35% of all U.S. dentists.
An advantage of this technique of inhalation conscious sedation is that most people receiving it recover promptly and may be permitted to leave the dental office unescorted and resume normal activities immediately.
Inhalation conscious sedation is most effective with mild to moderate degrees of dental anxiety.
Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry
Many dentists will prescribe a sedative drug to be taken by mouth prior to the planned treatment. If the individual has an even greater degree of dental anxiety, the doctor may prescribe an oral conscious sedative to be taken at home one hour prior to going to sleep on the evening before the appointment.
If the drug is administered at home, it is IMPERATIVE that the patient NOT DRIVE A CAR to the appointment. Patients receiving oral conscious sedation are not permitted to drive a car or operate a motor vehicle for 24 hours following their appointment.
Oral conscious sedation dentistry is most effective in the management of moderate degrees of dental anxiety.
FAQs About Conscious Sedation Dentistry
Q. Will I really be totally relaxed with Sedation Dentistry?
A. Dr. Williams will administer just enough sedation so that you'll be completely comfortable. Conscious Sedation won't put you to sleep, but you may be so relaxed that you may fall asleep.
Q. Will I remember anything after sedation dentistry?
A. At the end of the treatment, you'll have little or no memory of what was accomplished.
Q. Will I feel any pain during dental treatment?
A. Most patients experience no discomfort whatsoever during treatment and feel surprisingly good afterwards.
Q. What dental treatments can I have while under sedation?
A. Dr. Williams can generally do it all—fillings, crowns, root canals, implants, dentures, cosmetic treatments, tooth removal and even gum therapy and cleanings.
Q. Is sedation dentistry safe for me?
A. Oral sedation dentistry protocols have been used safely for 30 years. Dr. Williams will review your medical history and monitor you closely while under sedation.