Afraid of the Dentist? Try Sedation Dentistry

    BEVERLY HILLS, CA, October 02, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- For individuals who fear the dentist's chair, sedation dentistry offers an effective way to combat anxiety and fear.

Despite the latest advances and innovations in the practice of dentistry, fear and anxiety are still prevalent emotions among patients facing extensive dental work. As a result, the American Dental Association is reporting that more and more people are electing to have their dental work performed under general anesthesia. Known as sedation dentistry, it is a practice of putting the patient to sleep for the course of the treatment.

Although more expensive then local anesthesia, sedation dentistry is a popular choice among patients who feel that a numbing shot is simply insufficient in managing the pain and discomfort caused by drilling or extractions. As opposed to a numbing shot into the gum, these patients prefer to be asleep for the duration of their treatment. For more information on pain and anxiety control, please see www.beverlyhillsperio.com/pain-control.aspx.

General anesthesia (the more formal term of reference for putting someone to sleep) requires a specially trained dentist (please see www.beverlyhillsperio.com/dr-madison.aspx) or anesthesiologist to administer the medications and monitor the patient throughout the course of the procedure. When completed under careful supervision of a trained professional, this is a safe and comfortable solution for those who are simply uncomfortable in the dentist's chair.

"I have dreaded going to the dentist all of my life! Each and every visit was preceded with feelings of anxiety and crippling panic" says Joanna Ellis, a 10-year patient of Dr. Miles Madison. "Since discovering sedation dentistry, I have been able to overcome my fears and see my doctor whenever the time came."

For some, the fear of going to the dentist leads to postponing visits, delaying check-ups, and skipping out on even the most basic preventative care. As a result, dental problems go undiagnosed longer, and morph into bigger, more serious problems that also become more costly to repair.

"Among the most phobic of patients, there is a great degree of complicated work that could have been made simple with more frequent check-ups. By offering sedation dentistry, we hope to alleviate the fear many patients feel. This way, we can detect problems early on and prevent costly and invasive treatment options."

If you are interested in sedation dentistry, contact Beverly Hills' top periodontist, Dr. Miles Madison for a no-cost consultation today. Call (310) 553-2940 or email Dr. Madison at [email protected]. Please visit www.beverlyhillsperio.com for more information.

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