Sedation Dentistry: A Solution for Dental Anxiety

Do you feel anxious or nervous whenever you are scheduled to see a dentist? Does the thought of undergoing any dental procedure make you feel on edge? If so, you probably suffer from dental anxiety.

Research has shown that every 4 out of 10 individuals suffer from dental anxiety. If left unchecked, dental anxiety can progress to a dental phobia, a condition in which individuals face paralyzing fear for any dental process or procedure.

Both dental anxiety and phobia will keep people from getting much needed dental services. People with these conditions tend to avoid going to the dentist unless it is completely necessary or unavoidable.

More often than not, they will skip out on regular dental appointments and only visit our dentist in Covina when they are faced with a pressing dental issue such as a nagging toothache or persistent tooth sensitivity. Doing so negatively impacts their oral health and puts them at a higher risk of developing dental complications.

Our dentist in Covina offers sedation dentistry to patients who suffer from dental anxiety. Sedation dentistry has improved our patients’ dental experiences, particularly for those who grapple with dental anxiety and phobia, allowing them to keep up with their dental visits and receive the dental care they need to maintain their oral health.

Sedation Dentistry 101

Ideally, sedation dentistry involves utilizing prescription drugs and substances to ensure that patients stay calm and relaxed during their dental procedures. You will generally be in a relaxed and calm state that will allow our dentist to work on you. It is safe to say that sedation dentistry is a form of dental anxiety treatment.

There is a misguided conception about sedation dentistry, where most people imagine that these substances are all designed to make you unresponsive and unconscious during dental procedures.

However, this is not entirely true. There are different forms and levels of sedation, and not all of them render patients unresponsive. The type of sedation used will depend on your procedure’s complexity and duration and your anxiety level.

Types of Sedation

Different types of sedation can be used in dentistry. They may include:

• Oral Sedation

Oral sedation dentistry in Covina involves the use of orally administered anti-anxiety drugs. These drugs are administered a few minutes before the patient has to undergo their dental procedure.

In this type of sedation, the patient will be responsive and relaxed during the procedure. Some patients may experience a bit of drowsiness or even slight amnesia but will still be responsive. You may, however, need to get someone to drive you home after your procedure.

Oral sedation is an excellent option for patients who fear dental equipment or have a sensitive gag reflex.

• Inhalation Sedation

This is also a form of conscious sedation. It ideally involves utilizing laughing gas. The gas is dispensed through a gas mask, and it works to keep you calm and relaxed during the dental procedure.

The amount of gas sedative you receive is regulated and watched closely, and our dentist will ensure you get enough to keep you calm and relaxed during the procedure.

You will be responsive during the procedure and fully cognitive of your environment, and afterward, you will be able to get behind the wheel and make your way home unassisted.

• IV Sedation

This is a form of unconscious sedation. Under this sedation, you will be unresponsive and not aware of your environment or surroundings. You will also have no recollection of your dental procedure afterward.

This type of sedation involves using general anesthesia that is administered intravenously. This sedation must be administered by a certified and trained anesthesiologist, as is the case within our dentistry.

We always have to have a certified anesthesiologist on call if we are faced with a situation that requires us to administer IV sedation. This sedation type is an excellent option for patients who have a dental phobia or undergo multiple dental procedures within a single dental visit.

It is also a form of sedation to use when dealing with patients living with special needs or diagnosed with psychological disorders.

Sedation dentistry allows patients who have a dental phobia or anxiety to be in a position to receive their dental treatments. This goes a long way in improving their overall dental experiences and maintaining their dental health.

At Jeffrey L. Cohen, we believe that all patients need to have access to quality dental care, and this is why we offer sedation dentistry as an option for the patients who need it. Contact us today for all your dental procedures.