If You Are Anxious About Visiting the Dentist, Consider These Advantages to Sedation Dentistry
A fear of the dentist is fairly common. People will avoid visiting their dentist because they fear pain, feel uncomfortable and anxious about procedures, or are embarrassed of their oral hygiene. While visiting the dentist may be a negative experience for some, it is necessary to visit the dentist regularly to prevent painful dental problems and expensive procedures. To help those who develop anxiety around visiting the dentist, many dentists offer sedation dentistry. A dentist will administer a sedative drug (intravenous, pill, or gas) to relax patients for the duration of the dental appointment, so they remain calm and anxiety-free.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
If you’re fearful of the dentist, consider these excellent advantages of sedation therapy.
No Pain
Sedatives not only relax patients, but they also prevent the ability to feel pain during the dental procedure. If pain is your main concern, then sedation might be the answer for you. Your dentist will make sure you do not feel a thing throughout the procedure so you can sit back and relax.
Fast Dental Work
Those who haven’t been to the dentist in a long time may require extensive dental work during their next visit. Patients who feel anxious will often opt to break up the procedures across several appointments instead of having all the work completed at once. But with sedation dentistry, patients can handle all procedures at once without having to take breaks. By doing having an all-in-approach, this will save time, money, and eliminate the need for multiple visits.
Feel Completely Relaxed
Sedation completely relaxes the body so dentists can easily work on patients who normally have involuntary movements, fidget, or can’t stay still throughout uncomfortable procedures. This relaxed state makes it easier for patients and dentists. Patients can sit through an entire procedure while dentists are able to perform their work without any disruptive movements or interruptions. Those who are anxious may otherwise flinch or jerk their heads if they are anxious or in pain, which could cause problems during a procedure.
Special Considerations
If you have any concerns about sedation therapy, speak with your dentist to see if it is right for you. The following are common concerns that patients have about this treatment.
Side Effects of Sedatives
Some patients are apprehensive about taking drugs because they are concerned with how the drugs will affect their body. Your dentist will inform you of the effects of the sedative they use, and will not administer them if you have specific health conditions or take certain medications. Your dentist will also make sure to only administer a healthy amount of the sedative for your body size.
Insurance
Many insurance companies will not cover sedative dentistry, but it is not an overly expensive option to begin with. With sedative dentistry, you can prevent costly and painful issues that may arise in the future. If you will truly benefit from sedative dentistry—especially if you have issues surrounding dental procedures—then it is certainly worth the extra cost.
If you fear the dentist, you don’t have to worry any longer with sedation dentistry. Talk to your dentist today so you can maintain good oral health through relaxing and pain-free visits.
