Sedation dentistry is useful when you have a dental phobia because it relaxes you and allows you to undergo dental work you might otherwise avoid. Sedation is given in the form of gas, pills, or intravenously. Besides treating dental anxiety, sedation has these other uses as well.

When Dental Work Makes You Gag

If you have a strong gag reflex, getting any kind of dental work can be difficult. It's nearly impossible to control a gag reflex through willpower alone, but sedation dentistry might be able to help. Although gagging is a physical response, it might be triggered by anxiety or nervousness. Sedation makes you less nervous, so your gag reflex may not be as strong as it would be normally. Also, the sedatives relax your body physically, so they can help when you have problems with gagging due to physical hypersensitivity.

When You Have Problems Sitting Still

Since you'll be relaxed and comfortable when you're sedated, you'll be able to undergo longer treatment sessions. This is helpful when you need multiple teeth worked on. Your dentist can do more in fewer sessions. If you have trouble sitting still for long periods, long dental appointments might be difficult or impossible for you to endure. When you're sedated, you'll be in and out of sleep, so the time flies by and you're not aware of how long the procedure is taking.

When You Don't Want A General Anesthetic

One of the main benefits of sedation dentistry is that you aren't put completely out like you would be with a general anesthetic. While general anesthesia has its place in certain situations, sedation dentistry is often preferable for dental anxiety. You'll be drowsy when sedated, and you may not remember much when the procedure is over, but you'll still be awake enough to follow directions from the dentist. This can be an advantage for the dentist and a better choice for you if you don't want the risks of having general anesthesia.

When It Can Save You Money

If you need extensive dental work done, it could be more cost effective to have all the work done in a single day to save on the expense of multiple dental visits. Even if you don't have a dental phobia, sedation dentistry could be beneficial if it can be used to reduce the overall cost of your care.

If you have any concerns that keep you from getting dental work such as fear of needles, aversion to smells and sounds of a dental office, fear of pain, a strong gag reflex, or the inability to sit still for long periods of time, then talk to your dentist about the different forms of sedation available that can help. That way, you won't avoid checkups, cleanings, and routine care that keep your mouth and teeth in good health. 

Share