Is sedation dentistry right for you?
Have you ever skipped your dental appointment because you were anxious or uncomfortable visiting a dental office? You are not alone!
Fear of dental practice or dentists, called dental phobia, is a common fear for Americans. This fear often keeps people away from the dentist and compromises their oral health.
The American Dental Association recommends that everyone visit a dentist at least once every 6 months to keep their teeth healthy. When patients skip dental appointments because of fear, their oral health is affected and there is an increased risk of dental problems.
Sedation dentistry can be the answer!
Our Cary, NC office offers sedation dentistry methods that can help you relax during your dental treatment. Thanks to these techniques, we have been able to provide necessary dental care to many of our patients while they are comfortably seated in the dental chair. Make an appointment and meet our team to know more about sedation dentistry.
Different types of sedation dentistry
Sedation dentistry is a method through which a patient is put into a twilight sleep state using external agents. There are different stages of sedation that can be achieved using sedatives. Our dental practice has trained professionals and equipment to monitor the breathing and pulse rate of the patient when they are under sedative. This helps us ensure a safe and effective sedation dentistry treatment process.
Mild sedation
Mild sedation dentistry is recommended when the patient is slightly uncomfortable about a treatment process and requires some aid to make them feel relaxed. Nitrous oxide is one of the most commonly used mild sedatives. The gas with a mixture of oxygen, is inhaled by the patient through a mask that is fit over the nose. The team can vary the extent of relaxation achieved by varying the volume of nitrous oxide in the mixture. Patients can quickly recover after the treatment procedure.
Moderate sedation
Moderate sedation dentistry is recommended when the patient is anxious about a dental procedure and requires external aid to stay relaxed in the dentist’s chair. Over-the-counter medicines or IV sedation can be used to achieve the appropriate level of sedation for dentistry. The patient will be able to respond to verbal commands but may have some memory loss about the treatment process. The patient should be brought to the office and driven back home by a caretaker. Our dentist will generally advise the patient not to use automobiles or operate on any machinery for few hours after the treatment.
Deep sedation
Deep sedation dentistry is a state where the patient is very relaxed in the dentist’s chair. The patient may not remember any part of the procedure. They may be able to respond to verbal commands. Our team monitors the respiration, blood pressure level, and pulse rate continuously during the treatment. It may take a few hours for the patient to completely recover from the sedation process. The patient should be escorted to our office and back home by a caretaker who observes the patient for a few hours after the treatment.
For those who need it, sedation dentistry can be a huge asset. To learn more about sedation dentistry options at our Cary, NC office, contact Smiles of Cary today!
