Nervous about going to the dentist? You’re not alone. Thousands of people have fear or anxiety surrounding the dentist.
We understand this problem faced by many. But we also believe that it shouldn’t keep you from maintaining oral health. That’s why, at Metairie Village Dentistry, located in Metairie, Louisiana, Dr. Lisa Wyatt and the rest of our staff offer kindness, patience, and understanding as well as all four types of sedation dentistry.
Sedation has been an important part of dentistry for a long time. Of course, there are certain procedures — such as wisdom tooth removal — that can only be done under sedation. In other cases, however, people may need to be sedated simply to have a more comfortable experience at the dentist’s office.
If you’ve ever avoided making dental appointments, it may be time to consider this option. First, being sedated during a dental procedure doesn’t mean you have to be fully out or asleep. You could be partially sedated to feel calmer.
Second, though there are some chronic conditions that might prevent you from taking advantage of this option, many people are good candidates for at least one of the four types of dental sedation.
And third, sedation can make the entire procedure easier not just for your anxious mind but for your body. For example, medications are sometimes administered during IV when you are sedated, making for faster healing and recovery.
If you are interested in sedation dentistry, it’s time to consider which of the four options is right for you at this time.
Inhaled sedation is one of the milder forms of dental sedation. You will be awake while the procedure occurs but feeling calm and relaxed, which can be very helpful for those with dental anxiety. The process simply involves inhaling a small amount of a calming agent, in most cases, nitrous oxide.
Oral sedation involves taking a pill that will allow you to feel more relaxed during your treatment. With this form of sedation, you will be calm but awake. The pill is taken about an hour before your procedure and might include a benzodiazepine medication like Valium.
This form of sedation involves medication administered through an IV. Benzodiazepines are also the most used medications in this case. When you are given IV sedation, you will be very relaxed. You will be able to respond to basic questions, but when you come out of sedation, you won’t remember the procedure at all.
General anesthesia is the final and most significant form of sedation. It requires administration by a dental anesthesiologist, and you will be completely asleep after it is administered.
When you wake up, the procedure will be complete, and you won’t remember anything. In most cases, this type of sedation is only utilized for those with the most severe dental anxiety or those who require full sedation for a surgical procedure.
Especially if you’re struggling with dental phobia, sedation dentistry is a great way to make going to the dentist easier and less anxiety-inducing. To learn more, call 504-827-1910 or make an online appointment to visit our Metairie, Louisiana, office.
