Sedation Dentistry & Dental Anxiety

November 30, 2015

Does the thought of a dental cleaning set your teeth on edge? Have you been ignoring persistent tooth pain because the idea of dental surgery causes you undue anxiety or distress? You are not alone. Between 15% and 20% of the population report delaying important oral health care because of dental anxiety. However, most dental problems will not resolve themselves, and will grow worse over time. Dental sedation can allow an anxious patient to receive treatment before a minor problem becomes more serious.

What Types of Sedation Are Available

Dental sedation is the administering of medication to calm and relax a patient. Sedation comes in three major forms:

• Nitrous Oxide (also known as “laughing gas”) – Medication is inhaled through a mask place over the nose. The patient will be relaxed throughout the procedure, but the effects wear off quickly once the mask is removed.
• Oral Sedation – Medication is taken in pill form. The patient will feel sleepy, but the effects will gradually wear off.
• Intravenous (IV) Conscious Sedation – The medication will be administered through an IV, and the patient will typically have little or no recall of the procedure.

Who Is a Candidate For Dental Sedation?

Many types of patients can benefit from dental sedation, whether it allows them to experience the procedure in greater comfort and with less anxiety, or enables them to sit still through a lengthy procedure. Sedation dentistry may be the appropriate choice for:

• Patients who require extensive treatment such as a complex wisdom tooth extraction.
• Patients with a severe gag reflex or extremely sensitive teeth.
• Patients who have an extreme fear of needles or anxiety about dental procedures
• Patients who have experienced previous dental trauma
• Children, special needs patients, or elderly patients who suffer from dementia

Dr. James Lesinski is a general dentist in Amherst, NY who offers gentle, patient-centered family dental care. To discuss sedation dentistry or to schedule an appointment, contact his office at 716.650.4003.

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 […]