Sedation Dentistry - Conquer Your Fear

2008-10-16 15:29:56

( Pharmeceutical-Medical )



There are many people who have a fear of going to a dentist. Most of the time, it is not the fear of the actual physical pain itself, but more of the fear of losing control which is psychological. Many people may even avoid visiting the dentist and regular dental treatment that can result in neglect of oral health and appearance.

Dentists recognize this fear and anxiety and now offer a wide variety of sedation dentistry methods to address the different needs of every patient. Sedation dentistry allows people to undergo dental work while avoiding the common dental phobia.

There are numerous types of sedation dentistry, each one suitable to a particular case. Each type of sedation dentistry has its own limitations and contraindications, and each sedation dentistry modality is designed to serve a specific purpose. As a patient, you may have limited choices because not all types of sedation dentistry will be effective and appropriate for your situation.

Local anesthesia is the most common method which can be given through injection in the mouth. Local anesthetics are convenient because they leave you conscious and fully aware, and are best used for minor dental procedures.

General anesthesia or IV sedation is a type of sedation that will render you totally unconscious and devoid of any muscle control. IV sedation dentistry is recommended only for major oral procedures. Because it requires special training and certification, not all dentists can administer IV sedation.

Oral sedation is most commonly associated with sedation dentistry. You will be given a small pill before a dental procedure to decrease awareness of pain.

Sedation dentistry has been occasionally referred to as sleep dentistry, but the term sleep dentistry is misleading because you do not actually sleep during the procedure. You may just feel sleepy because of the sedation effect produced by the medication. It is important to take note that patients have variable anesthetic thresholds and while some may need very minimal amounts to achieve sedation, there are some who will require more.

You should remember that not all dentists are trained in sedation dentistry. Inquire about sedation dentists and their specialty training in anesthesia. Do your part as a patient by reviewing the informed consent form that details the procedure, equipment, advantages and risks. Your sedation dentist should be willing to spend time to discuss with you all concerns you might have about sedation dentistry.


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