The Pros and Cons of Sedation Dentistry

December 30, 2015

If you are like most, then a trip to the dentist is something that you do not look forward to. In fact, the mere thought of it may cause you to panic. Even with the great care that dental practitioners take to make you feel comfortable and at ease, you may still experience the feeling of being restrained or claustrophobic while in the dental chair, to the point of interfering with your treatment. If this has happened to you before, than a trip to a sedation dentist in St. Petersburg, FL may be in order.

Benefits of Sedated Treatment

Sedation dentistry is increasingly becoming more popular amongst both pediatric and adult dental patients. It involves the use of medications to achieve a level of moderate sedation during dental procedures. Those who have received this treatment rave about the benefits that it offers. These include:

• Peace-of-mind: If anxiety and fear are ever present while you are in the dentist office, then a sedative will allow you feel more relaxed and decrease the chances of you being involuntarily combative. Plus, you typically remember little of the procedure itself.
• Less pain: Due to your level of sedation, you experience a much higher pain threshold. In fact, this often allows your dentist to perform your dental work without needing to use anesthetics, which themselves can often cause a reaction.
• More effective treatment: While you are under sedation, your dentist is often able to perform more extensive work, keeping you from having to return for more follow-up care.

Risk Factors to Consider

However, sedation dentistry is not for everyone. People who are obese or suffer from sleep apnea may have breathing difficulties during their procedures. Plus, there is the risk of having an adverse reaction to the sedative. As such, it is important that you first speak with your dentist and doctor before considering such treatment.

Your fearful feelings about being in the dentist chair are completely normal, and certainly not exclusive to you. At the same time, you do not want them keeping you from receiving needed dental treatment. Not to worry; Dr. Crawford and the rest of our staff here at the St. Petersburg Dental Center have the tools needed to get you through your next dental appointment. Just give us a call today at 727.498.4910 to find out more.

Comments

comments

Related Articles

• Alleviate Dental Anxiety

  Dental anxiety can negatively affect your oral health by preventing you from receiving dental care. In many cases, dental fear stems from a traumatizing childhood experience at the dentist, but it can also occur due to general anxiety disorder. Drs. Bradley and Scott Ross understand how difficult it can be to maintain good oral health […]

• The Solution for Dental Anxiety

  Dental anxiety is a very real problem that affects a large number of adults across the United States. It unfortunately keeps many patients from seeking the dental treatment they so desperately need. Dr. Tom McCawley, Dr. Mark McCawley, and the rest of our staff at McCawley Center for Laser Periodontics and Implants offer sedation dentistry […]

• Don’t Be Stressed by Dental Anxiety

  If you have anxiety when you visit the dentist or periodontist, you are not alone! In fact, dental anxiety is such a common thing that most dental offices, including South Florida Periodontics & Dental Implants, offer some form of sedation dentistry to help alleviate stress. We know that too many patients go without check-ups or […]

• Sedation Dentistry

  How Sedation Dentistry Can Help You Have a Pleasant Dental Experience   Dental anxiety is a powerful condition that can make it difficult to receive regular dental care. Many people – kids and adults alike – avoid visiting the dentist because they experience high levels of fear during appointments. Dr. Mitchel Senft encourages patients with […]

• A Solution for Dental Anxiety

  Anxiety affects millions of Americans every year, and for a wide variety of reasons. For some, there’s no clear cause, whereas others find it is linked to some traumatic experience or underlying medical condition. For many, dental anxiety is the primary form they struggle with. It’s very common, affecting about 15 percent of adult patients. […]

• A Solution for Dental Anxiety

  One of the most common reasons patients procrastinate when they need dental care is anxiety. Millions of people every year are affected by it, and dental anxiety is among the most intense kinds. Luckily, there are options to help those patients access treatment comfortably. Sedation dentistry uses a variety of methods to alleviate stress, depending […]

• Don’t Let Dental Anxiety Prevent You From Replacing Your Missing Teeth

  If you have dental anxiety, it may be comforting to know millions of other people have it as well. In fact, up to 20 percent of Americans avoid dental appointments because of fear.

• How Does IV Sedation Help My Dental Anxiety?

  There are many patients who feel anxiety at the thought of having dental work done but for a few, the fear prevents them from getting the dental health care that they need. Sedation dentistry can be an excellent solution. It allows patients to feel no pain during a procedure and have no memory of it […]

• Afraid of the Periodontist? Try Sedation Dentistry!

  If you have a fear of visiting a dental professional, you are not alone. In fact, there are millions of people who suffer from some form of dental anxiety, which can manifest with symptoms such as an increased heart rate and sweaty palms. The great news is that even if you have a phobia of […]

• Sedation Dentistry: The Cure for Dental Anxiety

  Anxiety manifests in many different forms in today’s society. Just as there is treatment for general anxiety for people who struggle to go out in public, sedation dentistry is available to help treat dental anxiety in Ann Arbor, MI, and beyond. Dr. Amar Katranji and the rest of the staff at Michigan Implants & Periodontics […]