Overcome Your Fear of the Dentist: The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
If the very idea of going to the dentist feels you with fear and anxiety, you are not alone. Colgate estimates about 30-40 million people choose to suffer from tooth or mouth pain rather than face going to the dentist. Sedation dentistry is available in Anchorage and offers a safe, comfortable way to take care of your teeth.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
In sedation dentistry, medicine is used to relax you during your dental procedure. It can be a part of even the simplest procedures as well as the complicated or time-consuming. There are four standard levels of sedation:
- Minimal sedation– you stay awake but are very relaxed.
- Moderate sedation– you are awake, but won’t remember much of the experience, and you’ll probably slur your words.
- Deep sedation– you are hovering on the edge of being conscious but still awake. You likely won’t remember anything at all about the procedure.
- General anesthesia– usually used for complex surgical procedures and for extreme phobia suffers. You will be completely unconscious.
Who Can Benefit from Sedation Dentistry?
- People with a phobia about dentists
- If you have a low pain threshold
- Those who struggle to sit still in the dentist’s chair
- If you have very sensitive teeth
- If you have an overactive gag reflex
- People who need a significant amount of dental work done
What are the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry?
- The dentist will be able to get the work done faster since you will be relaxed enough to not move around much if at all.
- You can relax knowing you won’t be filling any fear or anxiety during the procedure. You can even take a pill about an hour before that can help you relax prior to arriving at the dentist.
- Depending on the level of sedation you will fill little to no pain during the procedure due to the medication. Often your dentist will still use topical anesthesia where they are working.
- You’ll be memory free! Especially if you have past memories of a horrible dental experience, you probably don’t want to remember this one. Especially if you go with deep sedation or general anesthesia, you will have no memories of the work that was done, just the benefits of your dentist’s handiwork.
Don’t let your fear of the dentist keep you in pain or put the health of your teeth at risk. There are options! Sedation dentistry is available in Anchorage and we can help you have the best experience possible.