“DENTAL ANXIETY”….Yes….It is real and widespread!!! It is estimated that almost 10% of people have a real dental phobia, and nearly 50% feel significant dental anxiety.

Is the thought of going to the dentist giving you goosebumps?? Or do you keep on procrastinating scheduling your dental appointment??

If so, you may probably be the victim of dental anxiety!!

Dental anxiety is usually caused by painful or traumatic experiences at a dental clinic in the past. Fear of pain, fear of injection, fear of aesthetic side effects, anda  feeling of helplessness can also lead to dental phobia.

Needless to say, dealing with dental issues like bleeding gums, cavities, cracked teeth, and many others and refusing to get professional treatment will take a toll on your overall oral health. Living in fear of the dentist is no way out; indeed, your dental health will become worse.

But nothing to worry about!!! For the patients for whom visiting the dentist is so upsetting and distressing, there is a great option- “SEDATION DENTISTRY,” which has been taking the dental industry by storm.

Let’s first understand all about dental sedation.

What is sedation dentistry?

When people first imagine sedation dentistry, they often visualize a person entirely asleep during their procedure, but this is not the case!

Sedation Dentistry is also named sleep dentistry, though it is not fully correct because the patients are normally awake during the procedure, except for those who are given anesthesia.

Sedation dentistry uses medications to aid patients in relaxing during a dental procedure. Sedative makes a specific portion of the mouth numb so that the patient can sit comfortably through a dental procedure without any pain.

With this amazing treatment option, many people with dental anxiety, who have never thought of going near a dental clinic, are comfortably getting their dental treatment done effortlessly.

Furthermore, dental sedation has different levels- minimal, moderate, and deep. The type of sedative administered to a patient will be decided by the dentist depending on some factors, such as the goal of the procedure,the  level of fear in the patient, and the severity of the problem.

I hope you will have clearly understood sedation dentistry with this. OK, still have some confusion? No worries! I’ll try to put some more light on sedation dentistry and its different types.

Let’s have a quick look at the types of sedation dentistry for a better understanding.

Commonly used sedation types are:

• Oral Sedatives –As the name suggests, the patient has to take some sedation medication orally. It is usually offered an hour before treatment.
• IV Sedatives – IV sedation dentists administer an IV line that is injected into the arm. It acts very fast, which makes it suitable for emergency cases.
• Gas Inhalation – For this type of sedative, you’ll have to wear a gas mask that allows breathing in nitrous oxide gas which is sedative.
• General Anaesthesia – This sedation keeps you unconscious throughout the procedure. It is mostly administered in extensive procedures like dental surgery. The patient will take some time to wear off its effect completely.

These sedative options are highly effective and make the dental procedure much more comfortable for people having dental phobias. With this superb alternative, anxious patients don’t have to cancel their dental appointments anymore.

So, excited about an anxiety-free treatment during your next dental appointment?? When you plan your dental visit, consider some of the most interesting things about the dental sedation process, which will help you make your dental procedure fast and smooth.

1. Sedation dentistry is safe!

Sedation dentistry is perfectly safe for patients suffering from dental phobia. Many of the sedatives used in dental procedures have been around for many years, and there is a lot of research confirming their effectiveness and safety.

The experts of Sedation Dentistry in Fort Collins decide on the specific type of sedation depending on the degree of your anxiety and also the severity of your problem.

Your dentist may prescribe some sedative drugs to take before your appointment, or your dentist might choose IV sedation for you, depending on your dental problem.

2. Sedatives are different from anesthetics!

The most common misconception among people is that sedatives and anesthetics are two types of similar drugs, and this is what stops them from opting for this option.

So, keep in mind that sedatives and anesthetics are two very different drugs. Sedatives help to relax patients, while anesthetics are used to numb your sense in complicated cases, and you’ll not feel any pain during certain procedures.

Furthermore, when the dentist administers a general anesthetic, the patient will be unconscious during the procedure. In contrast, when sedatives are used, the patient is typically awake, indeed simply in a more relaxed state.

3. Dentists prefer sedation dentistry more!

Sedatives make the patient more relaxed, which helps dentists to get more work done. As the patient becomes more comfortable, they can perform longer and even more complex procedures smoothly.

They even use sedatives (gas inhalation) for dentures in Fort Collins to alleviate the patients’ comfort during the procedure.

With sedation dentistry, it is possible for your IV sedation dentists to repair the damage that happened during years of negligence and carelessness in a single appointment.

4. Sitting for hours still is a breeze!

Is sitting a struggle for you? In many cases, certain medical conditions or severe pain won’t allow the patient to sit for an extended time. But experts of sedation dentistry in Fort Collins can help you. After taking the sedative, you will be able to sit without feeling the need to get up or move around during your treatment. It will be really easy and smooth for you.

5. You’ll never miss out on preventive dental care!

As sedation dentistry can help you overcome dental anxiety, you will be more regular for routine check-ups, which will further help you avoid multiple dental issues like plaque, tartar, cavities, gum disease, and others. Thus, with sedation dentistry, you’ll be able to keep your oral health at its best.

The Final Words

Opting for not going to the dentist is not a solution at all. People who feel dental anxiety or dental phobia avoid going to the dentist even when they have severe dental issues. In the long run, this can be incredibly costly for both oral health as well as their wallet.

Rather, they should say goodbye to their dental fear and start looking for a “Sedation dental near me” on Google. Sedation dentistry experts ensure that you will get the safe, highest-quality dental care you deserve without any dental fear.