Our team at Rhoades Family Dentistry understands that visiting the dentist isn’t always an exciting and calming experience, especially for those who suffer from dental anxiety. While dental anxieties can range from a common fear that nearly 36% of Americans have about dental treatments or procedures, about 12% of U.S. adults suffer from extreme dentophobia.
Dentophobia and anxieties can be dangerous as they can prevent patients from visiting the dentist, even when in pain. This can lead to poor oral hygiene and oral conditions that can negatively affect your overall health. If you or a loved one experiences symptoms of dental anxiety, like shortness of breath, distress, increased heart rate, or completely avoids the dentist, sedation dentistry might be beneficial. Continue reading to learn if sedation dentistry is right for you and more about its benefits.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is a relaxation approach for patients who suffer from dentophobia or dental anxiety, helping them to feel more comfortable during a dental cleaning or procedure. Whether you or a loved one suffers from dental anxiety or an extreme fear of the dentist, sedation dentistry can help make the process easier and more relaxing, assisting in calming your nerves during a cleaning or other dental procedure.
Sedation dentistry dates back to 1844, when nitrous oxide (laughing gas) was discovered and used by Horace Wells during a tooth extraction. Sedation dentistry has advanced significantly over the past century and a half, with the invention of anesthesia and IV sedation. Nowadays, plenty of different types of dental sedation exist, including the following:
- General anesthesia
- IV sedation
- Oral sedation
- Laughing gas
- Topical anesthesias
Your dentist will help you determine which sedation method is best for you. Those with dentophobia might benefit best from IV sedation or general anesthesia, while those with a slight dental anxiety might benefit best from oral sedation or laughing gas.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry exists to help patients relax during procedures or treatments they think are intimidating or scary. Therefore, it is beneficial to many clients, including adults, teens, and even children. Below are just some of the many benefits of sedation dentistry:
Eases Anxieties and Fears
As previously mentioned, 36% of Americans have anxiety about dental treatments or procedures, and about 12% of U.S. adults suffer from extreme dentophobia. Sedation dentistry eases anxieties and fears, with most patients having no recollection of the procedure and experiencing minimal side effects. Even those with extreme fear can relax, whether they have IV sedation or general anesthesia for their appointment.
Gag Reflex Control
Some avoid the dentist or have a fear due to a sensitive gag reflex, which makes it difficult and uncomfortable to complete dental treatments or procedures. Sedation dentistry improves control of a sensitive gag reflex, allowing the patient to relax and helps the dentist work quickly and efficiently during a procedure.
Pain Free with Minimal Side Effects
If your child has a treatment that they’re scared will hurt or you are worried about pain during a procedure, sedation dentistry is a great option. It’s pain-free and allows for minimal side effects, making invasive procedures like extractions or root canals easier.
Better Cooperation
Those with dental anxiety, dentophobia, or children who are scared about a dental procedure are less likely to stay still or cooperate during treatment, making some procedures less safe or more difficult to complete. Sedation dentistry helps to improve patient cooperation, increasing their safety and making it easier for the dentist to complete the procedure.
Minimizes the Number of Appointments
While dental offices understand the need to schedule multiple appointments due to dental anxiety, that means more trips and coordinating schedules for you to complete a procedure. Laughing gas, IV sedation, or general anesthesia can minimize the number of appointments, improving efficiency during treatments.
Better Oral Health
When a patient who suffers from dental anxiety or dentophobia, or a child who has a painful experience at the dentist, they’re more likely to avoid future appointments, resulting in poor oral hygiene. Sedation dentistry helps patients achieve better oral health because they often have no recollection of the treatment or procedure. Therefore, they have less to fear and maintain better oral health by visiting the dentist more often.
Who Can Benefit from Sedation Dentistry?
Many patients can benefit from sedation dentistry! Because it is generally safe when administered by an experienced dental professional, many can benefit from sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry is a great option for those with sensitive gag reflexes, those suffering from dental anxiety or dentophobia, those with special needs, children, those with restlessness or movement disorders, and patients requiring complex procedures.
Again, your dentist will work with you to determine if sedation dentistry is right for you and which option is best for your procedure or treatment.
Rhoades Family Dentistry Offers Sedation Dentistry for a Wide Range of Patients
Rhoades Family Dentistry offers dental care for the whole family, including sedation dentistry. Dr. Hahn and Dr. Driscoll care about your entire family’s oral health and are here to help recommend the best type of dental sedation for your specific needs and treatment.
We offer more conservative treatments than most offices, never over-treating our patients. We will never push certain treatments or sedation techniques on anyone, allowing you to choose the best option for yourself. Our anxiety-reducing modalities will help with dental fears, and we’ll help you choose the best option rather than push one on you. Whether you have extreme fears and think IV sedation might be best or just need a distraction with entertainment media, we’ll custom-make your treatment to fit your comfort level.
Book an appointment today by scrolling up and clicking “BOOK AN APPOINTMENT” on the top left of your screen or by calling (913) 782-8900. We look forward to serving you by providing excellent dental care and giving your family healthy smiles!
