Nervousness, anxiety and fear when you contemplate going to or visiting your dentist is common and understandable. Every dentist in Okotoks is committed to doing whatever is possible to make sure that everyone gets the dental treatment and care they need to stay healthy and deal with dental emergencies. One way that a dentist near you ensures that nervous, afraid and fearful patients get the care they need is by offering sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry in Okotoks helps people who have had negative experiences with a dentist or who experience intense emotion and anxiety when considering dental treatment to overcome those experiences, emotions and anxiety. There are several groups of people who may benefit from sedation dentistry in Okotoks:
- People with dental phobia or anxiety
- People who are afraid of or anxious about needles
- People are triggered by dentistry-related sights, sounds, smells and vibrations
- If you have extremely sensitive teeth
- If you have difficulty remaining still for as long as you will be receiving treatment
- If you’re scheduled to undergo multiple procedures in a single appointment
- People who have had negative reactions to local anesthesia in the past
- Patients of any age with special needs make it difficult to remain calm or still during treatment
If you fall into any one or more of the above categories, please take the time to explain your experiences and concerns with a dentist near you. The dentist and their staff will carefully review your medical history to confirm that you’re a good candidate for sedation dentistry near you and will explain the options available to help you achieve the right level of relaxation to ensure you get the treatment that you need.
What options are available for sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is not an off-the-shelf treatment option. No two individuals’ situations are exactly alike. Your dentist will describe four options for producing different levels of relaxation. Choosing the appropriate level for you will require consideration of factors including your level of anxiety, the type of treatment you’re receiving, and the length of time your dentist will be treating you.
Nitrous oxide
Also referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide produces a mild sedative effect that takes effect and dissipates quickly. You inhale the nitrous oxide through a mask or tube and will remain awake at all times.
Oral sedation
Oral sedation is administered through a pill the night before or on the morning of your treatment. Oral sedation can produce a deeper level of sedation than laughing gas, but you will remain awake throughout your treatment.
Intravenous (IV) sedation
Intravenous sedation is administered through an IV placed in your arm. IV sedation produces a deeper level of sedation akin to that achieved with oral sedation. A dentist near you will monitor you throughout treatment. The sedative effect of IV sedation takes longer to wear off than the effects of nitrous oxide or oral sedation.
General anesthesia
In the most serious or complex cases, general anesthesia provides a state of relaxation so deep that patients will fall into a deep sleep and be unconscious throughout treatment. Patients undergoing lengthy or complex procedures and who experience very significant fear or anxiety may benefit from general anesthesia. General anesthesia is not administered at ordinary dental offices, but by specially trained staff at surgical clinics that specialize in this form of treatment.
Are you or members of your family avoiding essential dental treatment due to fear, anxiety or other forms of inhibiting factors? Contact a dentist near you to ask if sedation dentistry could help you to get past those issues and to get the treatment you need.