If the thought of visiting a dentist makes you feel sick to your stomach with nerves, then you aren’t alone. Dental phobia and anxiety is more common than you may believe. According to recent research, anywhere between fifty to eighty percent of adults in North America have some level of dental fear. Dentists are aware of the struggles that many patients go through when it comes to mustering up the courage to get necessary dental procedures done. For this reason, our team at Aspen Dental Clinic provides sedation dentistry near you to help you remain comfortable and calm whenever you require a dental procedure.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses a mixture of sedatives to keep a patient feeling relaxed and comfortable when they visit the dental office for a procedure. There are three types of sedation dentistry, and a dentist near you can work with you to help you determine the best option for your needs:
- Oral sedation- when you choose this option, our dentist in Rocky Mountain House will provide you with a prescription for a pill to take about one hour before your appointment. This pill will ensure that you feel relaxed and calm during your procedure. If you opt for oral sedation, it is important to get a trusted individual to drive you to and from your dental appointment.
- Intravenous sedation- this is a more intense form of sedation that is administered through a small needle inserted into your vein and into your bloodstream. This sedative will make you feel very relaxed, and may even cause you to drift off into a light sleep during your procedure. Just like with oral sedation, you will need a loved one to drive you to and from your appointment to ensure your safety.
- Nitrous oxide sedation- this is the lightest form of sedation and is ideal for young patients who require sedation for longer procedures. This type of sedation is administered as a gas through a mask placed over the patient’s nose. The sedative will make the patient feel comfortable and relaxed for the duration of their procedure. When the mask is removed, the sedative effect will fade quickly, meaning the patient can drive themselves home and go about their day as usual.
When you visit Aspen Dental Clinic, our dedicated team of dental professionals will take the time to help you choose the right form of sedation for your needs. They will take into account your desires, underlying health conditions, and other factors to find the best option for you.
It is important to note that sedation dentistry in Rocky Mountain House differs from general anesthesia. Sedation dentistry only calms a patient down and allows them to relax. Some patients may even fall asleep under the influence of sedation dentistry. However, it does not cause someone to become completely unconscious like general anesthesia does. If you require general anesthesia, you will also require a specialist such as an anesthesiologist to monitor all your vitals and help you breath. Sedation dentistry does not require this and can be administered by a qualified and experienced dentist.
How Does Sedation Dentistry Address the Root Cause of Dental Anxiety?
While one of the causes of dental phobia and anxiety is a fear of the possible pain and discomfort associated with dental procedures, there are a plethora of other factors that make patients apprehensive. Sometimes, a patient has undergone a traumatic dental experience in the past, and carries those memories in their mind. Other patients avoid visiting a dental clinic because of fears to do with bleeding and surgery. Dental tools such as drills, and procedures such as root canal treatment and decayed tooth removal can also add an element of fear.
One of the best parts of sedation dentistry is that not only does it ease your anxieties in the moment, but it also tends to cause the patient to have little to no memory of their dental procedure. This means that the patient will feel less anxious about their next visit to a dental clinic because they won’t remember anything scary or negative about their previous experience. Additionally, a dentist is able to work a lot more quickly and efficiently when one is under dental sedation, making the experience a lot more pleasant for both the dentist and patient.
How a Dentist Can Help Ease Your Fears
If you have dental anxiety, it is important to visit a dental clinic with compassionate and supportive staff that can work alongside sedation dentistry methods to ease your fears. At Aspen Dental Clinic, our staff takes an educational and supportive approach to your dental treatments. This is done by explaining to you the benefits of oral health and procedures to enhance your oral health in a friendly and safe environment. We will work with you to provide you with all the information you need, and address any concerns or questions you may have to ensure that you feel as safe and comfortable as possible going forward with your dental care and treatment plans.
The Bottom Line
If you suffer from dental anxiety and phobia, you aren’t alone. Many people deal with fear and anxiety surrounding dental procedures, which is why dentists are well-equipped to help patients through these struggles. At Aspen Dental Clinic, we are happy to provide our patients with options for sedation dentistry to help them get the oral health care they need. To learn more, please do not hesitate to contact our dedicated team of dental professionals at Aspen Dental Clinic. We look forward to helping you maintain optimal oral health for years to come.