Sedation Dentistry Increases in Popularity

It’s no secret that many people are afraid of the dentist. Fears of visiting the dentist are so common that many men and women avoid or cancel their appointments at all costs. In turn, our oral health and hygiene suffer and can often result in long-term or more extensive health problems. In an attempt to make visits to the dentist more friendly and to encourage their patients to take care of their teeth, many dentists are turning to sedation dentistry as a viable solution to improving patient relaxation and satisfaction.

Sedation dentistry involves the use of sedative medications in order to induce a state of relaxation in the patient and allow the dentist or oral hygienist to perform their work. This type of dental visit aims to minimize patient stress while maximizing the benefits of teeth cleaning and other dental work. Some patients are so afraid of the dentist that they are literally unable to sit still in the chair. This type of relaxation dental work allows them to avoid their apprehension and overcome their phobia.

Some of the types of drugs used in sedation dentistry may include tranquilizers, central nervous system depressants, anti-anxiety medications, nitrous oxide, and other types of relaxing medications. Depending on the medication, it may be administered orally or via an intravenous line in the patient’s hand or arm. In North America, oral medications are the most popular form of drugs used to relax patients and reduce their fears. After all, a great many people are also afraid of needles so it does no good to swap one phobia for another.

It is important to keep in mind that this type of dentistry does not put you to sleep and is often confused with general sedation used in the operating room. While the medication may make you feel sleepy and you may not remember much when the visit is over, you do not actually fall asleep. This helps the dentist to avoid many of the risks of general anesthesia sedation.

If you think this type of sedation dentistry may be ideal for you or your family members, talk to your dentist today. He or she will be able to outline the pros and cons as well as side effects and risks of this type of dental work and help you decide whether or not it is right for you and your overall health status. Some health conditions are not compatible with this type of dentistry and it is important to tell your dentist about all medications you are taking. You will also want to check with your insurance company to see if they cover this type of medication. Insurance companies may cover sedation dentistry if it helps to consolidate several dental appointments into a single visit and saves overall cost.