Though it is a widespread practice taught at many dentistry schools throughout the country, most people do not know what sedation dental treatment is. If you are reading this article right now, there's a good chance that you've never heard of it, either. Allow us to share with you the advantages and finer points of this dental care method.
What is sedation dental treatment?Basically, the title says it all. Standard dental practices, like installing fillings, repairing crowns, or even just routine check-ups are performed with the aid of a sedative. Sedatives come in many different strengths and can be administered in various ways. While it is not for everyone, sedation dental treatment allows dentists to provide safe, effective, efficient dental care to their patients. And for the patient, the sedative can provide several benefits:
- Curbs anxiety
- Numbs pain and discomfort
- Relaxes patient's muscles, allowing the jaw to remain open for longer periods of time
What kinds of sedation are available?
Many different kinds of sedation are available. Most of us - at least those of us with poor enamel and a bad sweet tooth - are well aware of Novocain or similar anesthetics as used in dentistry, as we have undergone our fair share of dental fillings in our lifetimes. Along those same lines, many of us will remember going to the dentist and donning a nose mask that pumped nitrous oxide, or "laughing gas", into our lungs to help calm us. These methods are still in use today. But because of ever-evolving technology and innovation, there are now other options. For instance, sedative pills can be taken orally shortly before you enter the dentist's office. They have a mild to moderate effect and are mostly used to calm nerves before undergoing dental work like crowns or implants. Should stronger sedation be necessary, you can opt for IV sedation, which can only be administered by a board-certified sedation expert. But it does have the effect of completely knocking one out, which for the most dental-phobic patients will be a huge advantage. Plus, this method gives the dentist more time in which to work, which means that years' worth of problems can be fixed in a short amount of time.
Is sedation dental treatment right for me?You may wish to consider sedation dental treatment if you are:
- a child who finds it exceedingly difficult to sit still to the extent that a dental procedure may pose risk of damage to neighboring tissue
- someone with paralyzing fear of visiting the dentist
- someone who has a physical condition that keeps you from sitting still - a nervous condition for example
If any of these describes you, it might be worth considering sedation dental treatment and doing some more research on the topic. You might find that it's the perfect method of dentistry for your needs.