Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?

People put off visiting the dentist for many different reasons. They may feel that they don’t have time in their busy schedule for an appointment when they aren’t experiencing pain or other problems, they may feel embarrassed or ashamed about their teeth, or as is often the case, they may be fearful about the thought of needing dental treatment and would rather just not know if any work needs to be carried out. Unfortunately, by avoiding the dentist, these patients are inadvertently putting their oral health and even their overall health and wellbeing at risk. This is because patients who have oral health problems are more likely to be diagnosed with a chronic health condition such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even some forms of cancer.

If you or someone you love is avoiding visiting the dentist, sedation dentistry could help. Sure, it can’t help you to find time for an appointment, but it can enable you to benefit from quality dentistry if you have been avoiding it because of disability or fear. Sedation dentistry has made it possible for virtually any patient to access quality dentistry services and obtain the professional care that they need and deserve.

 

What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry refers to the use of sedative medications that are given in order to induce a state of calm relaxation in patients. There are different depths of sedation available, and the one that will be recommended for you will depend on your individual circumstances. This will include the type and severity of dental work that you need as well as your inability to tolerate treatment. Sedation comes in several forms including gas which is inhaled, orally-taken medication and intravenous drugs.

What makes someone a good candidate for sedation dentistry?

There are a variety of different things that make someone a good candidate for sedation dentistry. These include, but are not limited to the following:

Fear of dental treatment

Fear of dental treatment can manifest in many different ways, from butterflies in the stomach and sweating palms to nausea and panic attacks. Fear of the dentist is the primary reason why people avoid visiting and is a leading cause of the development of dental problems in the U.S. Sometimes the fear of the dentist comes from past traumatic experiences, but sometimes there is no distinct reason for it.

Difficulty with anesthetic

Some people are naturally intolerant to anesthetic and find that they either have a reaction to it, or it doesn’t work at all. Sedation dentistry can reduce your awareness of what is happening around you, helping you to manage your discomfort.

Sensitive gag reflex

Some patients have an extremely sensitive gag reflex that makes it difficult for them to tolerate dental treatment.

Complex dental problems

Sedation dentistry is usually recommended for patients who have complex dental problems and whose treatment may be more invasive or take longer than usual.

Physical disabilities

In some cases, it is a physical impairment that makes it impossible for a patient to undergo dental treatment. This could be something such as a muscular problem that means the patient is unable to hold their mouth open wide or is unable to sit still – something which is essential when dental treatment is being performed.

Cognitive disabilities

Cognitive disabilities can also mean that someone is unable to tolerate dental treatment. This could be because they cannot understand or are unable to carry out instructions, for example, if a patient has attention deficit disorder.

If you have been avoiding visiting your dentist and think that sedation may enable you to be able to attend a routine dental exam, don’t delay a moment longer. Contact our offices today to discuss your candidacy for sedation dentistry.