For some people, going to the dentist is a very anxiety-ridden experience. Whether they are nervous about just seeing the dentist or because of their work, sometimes it is a severe problem that needs attention. Thankfully, we offer sedation dentistry for those that need that little bit of extra support to get the dental care you need.

Talk to your dentist at Rosary Dental about your issue, as we have a variety of ways to make your visit as comfortable as possible.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is a specialization of dentistry that focuses on how to make patients comfortable when they visit the dentist. In particular, this focuses on patients who have anxiety while visiting the dentist.

This can range from mild nervousness to full-on panic attacks and crippling anxiety, so each case is different. That’s why each person is evaluated individually to gauge their needs before an option is prescribed. It can be nearly impossible for some people to get the primary dental care they need to maintain their oral health. That’s not to mention if they need a more complex procedure like a root canal or surgery.

What Are Sedation Options Available?

Because we believe that every person has the right to get the dental care they need, we have several options available to help make things easier, even for those with severe anxiety.

The lowest level of treatment involves breathing and meditation exercises. The dentist will work with you to help keep you calm and focused during the visit and may suggest doing some meditation beforehand to help alleviate stress and reduce anxiety during the appointment.

The dentist may prescribe an oral sedative to help make things tolerable for those whose anxiety is more difficult to deal with. These usually take effect quickly and help keep the patient lucid and able to talk while undergoing different procedures. This option is recommended if the dentist needs to explain things or chat with the patient during the procedure.

Other sedatives include things like laughing gas which keeps the person alert and awake but unable to feel pain.

For the most severe cases, the dentist may recommend full sedation, where a patient is put to sleep for procedures rather than being kept awake. This is typically reserved for extreme cases, but it is an option if the patient needs it, even for straightforward exams and cleanings.

Don’t let anxiety keep you from going to the dentist. Please talk with us about how sedation dentistry can help today.