Scared of the Dentist? Relax with Sedation Dentistry

    PHOENIX, AZ, May 19, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Does the mere thought of going to the dentist make you uneasy? Do you routinely put off important dental work because of an irrational fear about the entire process? You are not alone. While dental anxiety often stems from a bad experience, sometimes just the sound of dental equipment or the prospect of a certain procedure can set patients on edge, even if they have no bad memories to draw from.

Dental anxiety is more common than you might think. To help patients relax and safely receive the dental treatment(s) they need, many dentists now offer sedation dentistry (also known as "relaxation dentistry").

Types of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is designed to help you feel completely at ease during your dental visit. Even if you have significant amount of dental work that needs to be done, sedation dentistry techniques will keep you calm and stress-free during the entire procedure.

There are three main types of sedation dentistry. Your dentist may offer one or more of the following:

Oral sedatives - The most popular method, oral sedatives are taken before your visit and wear off a few hours later. You will need to arrange to have someone else drive you home.

Nitrous oxide - Better known as "laughing gas," nitrous oxide will be administered once you're in the dentist's chair. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off more quickly than those of an oral sedative, making it possible for you to drive yourself home.

IV Sedation - For patients with more severe dental anxiety, IV (intravenous) sedation will place you in a slightly deeper state of relaxation. The medication will be administered directly into your bloodstream, making the effects felt much more quickly than oral sedation. Throughout your appointment, your dentist will be able to adjust the level of IV sedation as necessary.

Under the effects of all of these methods, you will still be conscious of your surroundings and able to verbally respond to your dentist.

Sedation Dentistry vs. Sleep Dentistry

On very rare occasions, patients with extreme dental phobia may not respond to any of the above methods of sedation dentistry. In such cases, some dentists may offer the option of sleep dentistry. Sleep dentistry is different from sedation dentistry in that patients are placed into a deep, unconscious sleep through the use of general anesthesia. Since general anesthesia comes with inherent risks (such as the need for assisted breathing) and can only be administered by a qualified anesthesiologist, it is only recommended to patients who have tried sedation dentistry methods and found them ineffective.

Avoiding the dentist is never a good idea. Neglecting your oral health puts you at risk of developing more severe dental problems later in life that can be expensive and difficult to treat. Making regular check-up appointments with your dentist and having minor dental work done when recommended will save you time, money, and effort in the long run.

If you would like more information about how sedation dentistry can help you relax in the dental chair, please visit the website of experienced Phoenix sedation dentists Scott LeSueur, DDS & Charles Dodaro, DDS at http://www.drsofsmiles.com/.

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