Ways Sedation Can Positively Change Your Dental Experience
Are you hesitant or anxious about visiting the dentist? You’re not alone. We understand how daunting a trip to our office can be for some patients and want to relieve these worries by discussing your options for sedation dentistry. Sedation offers potential benefits that can dramatically improve your dental experience and make it much more pleasant. Keep reading as we discuss how sedation can help ease fears before appointments, reduce discomfort during treatment, and relax you even when taking on complex procedures like crowns or oral surgery.
Being Relaxed Will Help Your Appointment Go By More Quickly
When you’re anxious, time seems to slow down, and 30 minutes in the dentist’s chair can feel like an eternity. Sedation can help relax you, making your appointment feel like it’s over in no time at all. This is especially true for longer appointments, like crowns or dental implants, where the time in the chair can be quite lengthy.
It Will Make Sitting Still for a Long Time Easier
Being sedated can also help make it easier to sit still during your appointment. For example, if you’re getting a filling or a crown, the dentist will need you to sit still for the entire procedure, which can be physically and mentally challenging if you’re an anxious person. Sedation can help reduce anxiety and help you remain still throughout the procedure.
Changes the Perception of Pain to Aid Those with a Low Pain Threshold
One of the most significant benefits of sedation dentistry is that it changes the perception of pain. It can be challenging for people with a low pain threshold to tolerate dental procedures, causing them to avoid dental care entirely. With sedation dentistry, however, dental procedures can be comfortable and painless. Sedation dentistry uses medications that help you relax and feel little to no pain during the procedure. Many times, these medications cause amnesia, so you won’t remember any of the details of the procedure. This is a tremendous benefit for those who are afraid or anxious about the pain related to dental procedures.
Helps Support Patients with Special Needs
Patients with special needs can also benefit from sedation dentistry. Children and adults with developmental, physical, or cognitive disorders can find it challenging to sit still for dental treatment, be it for a simple cleaning or for more advanced procedures. By using sedation dentistry, special needs patients can relax and feel more comfortable, making it easier for our dentists to complete the necessary treatment. Sedation dentistry can also help patients who are immune-compromised or allergic to traditional dental anesthetics.
Can Help with Gag Reflex Problems
Some patients may have a strong gag reflex that makes a dental visit uncomfortable or difficult. Sedation dentistry can help with this problematic issue, allowing the dentist to work on the patient’s teeth without worrying about making them uncomfortable due to their gag reflex. In addition, sedation dentistry can help prevent patients from choking on their saliva, which is a common issue for patients with a gag reflex problem.
Lowering Dental Anxiety Will Encourage More Frequent Preventative Visits
Many people avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. This avoidance can lead to serious dental problems that could have been prevented if they had been detected early on. Sedation can help reduce this fear, encouraging people to visit the dentist more regularly and catch potential issues before they become big problems.
Schedule Multiple Procedures at the Same Time
If you have several dental procedures that need to be done, sedation can allow you to schedule multiple procedures on the same appointment day. This reduces the number of days you’ll need to take off from work or school and minimizes stress and anxiety.
Sedation Dentistry Can Help Improve Your Overall Health
Regular visits to the dentist not only help improve your dental health, but they can also lead to better overall health. Poor dental health has been linked to other serious health issues, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and more. Sedation can encourage more regular visits, leading to better oral and overall health.
There Are Several Sedation Options
Visiting the dentist can be a nerve-wracking experience for many people. However, with dental sedation options, this anxiety can be eased. Depending on the procedure and the patient’s needs, there are several types of sedation available. Oral sedation involves taking a pill to induce relaxation, while nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas) is inhaled through a mask. There are also intravenous (IV) sedation, which triggers deeper levels of sedation. Regardless of the method chosen, dental sedation can help patients feel more relaxed and comfortable during their dental appointments.
Try Sedation Dentistry at Your Next Dental Visit
If you’re someone who avoids the dentist because of anxiety or fear, sedation dentistry may be the solution you’ve been looking for. By reducing anxiety, making appointments more comfortable and efficient, and improving your overall health, sedation dentistry is a safe and effective way to make dental appointments less stressful. At Twin Aspen Dental Center, we have several sedation options available, and we will work with you to choose the best option for your specific needs. Schedule an appointment with us today by calling us at 303-841-7466. Let us show you how we can make your next dental visit a stress-free experience.