Dental anxiety is a real thing, and unfortunately, it can prevent people from getting the dental care they need. Sedation dentistry allows patients to relax while receiving dental care. They may be able to choose between oral conscious sedation, nitrous oxide, and intravenous sedatives. Here are the major benefits you can enjoy with sedation dentistry.

Anxiety relief

Being anxious or nervous at the dentist’s office is not uncommon. In fact, up to 30% of Americans experience some degree of anxiety while getting dental care. This can affect both adults and children and can make it difficult for them to go to the dental office for regular checkups and treatments. When patients feel anxious or nervous in the chair, their appointment time is often extended to accommodate breaks for calming down. 

Fortunately, we offer sedation that can help ease your nerves and make your next checkup a breeze! Our doctors can prescribe medication to take prior to your appointment to keep you calm throughout your appointment. Or, if you prefer, our doctors can also administer an inhaled sedative called nitrous oxide to help you relax while you are sitting in the chair. You won’t need to worry about a thing during your appointment – just sit back, relax, and let us handle the rest!

Reduction in the gag reflex

Sedation dentistry can also help patients who struggle with a gag reflex. When you have a gag reflex, you typically can’t open your mouth wide enough for your dentists to perform the treatment. This can be extremely uncomfortable and can make your dentist feel like they need to work in small increments at a time. With sedation dentistry, you won’t have to worry about gagging during your procedure because you will be completely relaxed and calm. Your dentist will be able to work faster without any social inhibitions.

Research has shown that when patients are sedated during their dental procedures, they are more likely to follow the dentist’s treatment plans and see their regular six-month checkups. When you feel more comfortable and relaxed at your regular checkups, you can prevent many oral health problems from arising in the future. A healthy smile is a beautiful smile!

Pain relief

If you experience anxiety when going to the dentist, you may want to ask for a sedative medication from your dentist. This can help you feel completely relaxed in the dentist’s chair. If you are particularly nervous and tense, this can help to prevent you from experiencing pain during the procedure. Many patients also feel more comfortable during their visit because of the amnesiac effect that sedation medications provide. This means that you won’t remember the treatment at all! This can be especially useful for patients who suffer from a fear of needles or those with sensitive gag reflexes.

The dentist can work faster

With sedation dentistry, the dentist is able to work more efficiently because the patient is not moving around or resisting treatment. There is no need for an uncomfortable rubber dam, and the dentist can finish the treatment more quickly. For example, if a patient needs six fillings, with sedation, he or she will likely only need one or two appointments to complete the procedure. Additionally, the need for local anesthetic is reduced. This means less time spent waiting between injections and the numbness wearing off. Overall, this means less time spent in the chair. Many patients also find that after undergoing sedation dentistry, they can tolerate a longer treatment without feeling pain or discomfort.

Visit G2 Anesthesia Services Inc. in Louisville, KY, or call (833) 336-8482 to consult our dentist today to see how sedation dentistry can change your dental experience.