The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

    /24-7PressRelease/ - ATLANTA, GA, July 11, 2008 - The number one reason that people neglect their dental health is fear, predominantly the fear of pain. For many people, fear of the dentist is caused by a traumatic dental experience in the past. Fear is accentuated for those who are resistant to numbing. Sedation dentistry allows even the most sensitive and/or fearful patients to experience the benefits of dental care.

Putting off dental care today can lead to serious dental problems in the future, requiring much more invasive treatment, and can contribute to life-threatening health problems including heart disease.

Sedation dentistry is not the same as being "put under". There are no IVs or needles involved. You will be semi-conscious and breathing on your own. This safe method of making dental procedures comfortable and relaxed does not require the attendance of an anesthesiologist.

Oral conscious sedation

Oral conscious sedation involves taking a sedative pill prior to your dental appointment. You will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. During your procedure you will be completely relaxed and you may even nap through your procedure. Most patients have little or no memory of the procedure.

Sedation dentistry reduces the pain involved in dental procedures in two ways. It makes your body more receptive to the local anesthetic used to numb the area where the work is being performed. It also relaxes your body, and this is one of the greatest benefits. A good deal of the pain that many patients experience after a dental procedure is not from the work itself, but from extreme, prolonged muscle tension they experience during the procedure. By relaxing your body, this muscle tension does not occur, so you are not stiff and sore during your recovery.

Sedation dentistry is very helpful if you need a long, complicated procedure, or if you want to have several procedures in one visit.

Anyone can enjoy the benefits of sedation dentistry, but it is especially helpful for people who avoid or simply cannot tolerate dental visits due to any of the following reasons:

• Strong gag reflex
• Difficulty swallowing
• Resistant to numbing
• Need for complex procedures
• Extreme fear of dental procedures
• Past traumatic experience

Replacing fearful memories of dental work with a good experience will encourage you to see your dentist more often and help you stay on top of your dental health. You may eventually become so comfortable with seeing the dentist that you no longer feel the need for oral sedation.

Laughing gas

If you just want a more relaxed experience, but don't feel like you need to take an oral sedative, ask your sedation dentist about laughing gas (nitrous oxide). Your level of sedation can be instantly adjusted as needed and the effects wear of quick, so you can usually drive yourself to and from your appointment.

You'll be relaxed and more receptive to local anesthetics, but you'll be wide awake and euphoric. Laughing gas can ease the anxiety that many patients feel about even simple procedures such as cleaning or small fillings.

Don't let fear get in the way of dental visits. Please contact Art of the Smile in Atlanta, Georgia today for your personalized dental check-up and make sure your teeth and gums are in great shape!

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