It’s one thing to be a little nervous for your dentist appointment. It’s an entirely different thing to be paralyzed with fear about going to the dentist. For many, this deep-seated fear began when they were young and has now affected their dental health as adults.
You need to know that with sedation dentistry, you can have a positive dental experience. “Since I was a child, I have had a very strong fear of the dentist. When I go to your office the fear is always gone. And your staff are the friendliest people I have ever meet. I think that also helps calm me down,” says one of our many patients that has overcome his fear.
What is a Sedation Dentist?
Not every dentist is equipped to provide sedation dentistry. To administer these treatments, a sedation dentist must undergo specialized training beyond dental school. Also, permission must be received from the state dental board. Fewer than 10 percent of dentists have pursued this additional training and meet these qualifications. Dr. Sexton is one of them. He is also a member of DOCS, the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. The purpose of DOCS is to make sure that each member dentist is fully up-to-date with all of the latest technology and safety standards of sedation dentistry.
Sedation Dentist Techniques
With sedation dentistry, it is possible to eliminate fear and block the memory of your entire dental visit. This is accomplished by the office administration of simple, safe, and effective oral medicines. You are prescribed a pill that is to be taken before your dental appointment. Patients describe feeling completely relaxed, as if they had been sleeping. Due to the lingering effects of this medication, you will need to arrange a ride home from your dental appointment.
Our practice is certified to provide this treatment in a safe, controlled, and monitored setting. Unlike general anesthesia that is provided in a hospital setting, you are still conscious during sedation dentistry. This means that your normal protective reflexes will still function normally, such as coughing to clear your airway. Throughout the entire procedure, your vitals will be closely monitored by one of our highly trained staff members.
Nitrous oxide is a convenient method.
One of the nice things about sedation dentistry is that it can be altered based on each individual patient. A milder treatment that we can use is nitrous oxide or laughing gas. As shown to the right, a small mask is placed over your nose and the relaxant gas is breathed in. It takes effect almost instantly and there are no side effects. You will be able to respond and communicate normally with your dentist throughout the appointment. When the gas is turned off the effects go away completely, within a matter of minutes. This means you can even drive yourself home.
For those patients that require a deeper level of sedation, we offer iv sedation. This method can be safely administered intravenously, right here in our office. You will still be conscious, but you will have absolutely no memory of the appointment.
Am I a Candidate for Sedation?
You are a candidate for sedation dentistry, if you experience any of these issues:
- A traumatic experience as a kid or painful memories.
- Difficulty getting numb.
- Fear of dental appointments.
- If complex or multiple procedures are required.
- Teeth sensitivity.
- A gag reflex that interferes with normal dental care.
- Fear of needles or injections.
- You are ashamed or embarrassed of your teeth.
We feel that every patient should have a comfortable and stress-free dental experience. If you have questions about any of the sedation dentistry techniques that we offer, please give us a call.
