If you experience anxiety before checkups and dental treatments, you are not alone. Fear of the dentist, also known as dentophobia, affects around one-third of patients in the U.S. with varying degrees. This can make routine visits difficult, which may cause you to put off your appointments. In return, your dental health can decline, which may result in needing more extensive work. To avoid these problems, you can discuss sedation options with your dentist for a more comfortable visit. Today, Stubbs Family Dentistry in West Allis, WI, is here to explain your options.
Read more: Increased Comfort During Dental VisitsChoosing The Best Option For Your Needs
There are different strengths of sedation available depending on your needs and type of appointment. For short appointments, such as checkups, nitrous oxide can be used to help patients feel at ease. This is also known as “laughing gas” due to the effects that it can bring. Before this is administered, your dentist will go over your medical history to determine how much to use.
For more extensive dental work, or for patients with extreme anxiety, a stronger form of anesthesia can be used. Unlike general anesthesia, you will not “go under” with this form of sedative. Instead, you will be conscious but in a relaxed state. This allows you to respond, when necessary, without feeling uncomfortable during your procedure. The treatment type and your health history will need to be evaluated before this use.
Taking Care After Your Appointment
If you choose to have a sedative given to you during your visit, you must have a trusted friend or family member drive you home after your appointment. Although laughing gas may not have long-term effects, it can vary from each person. This is important with other forms of anesthesia as well because this may last much longer. If you have any questions or concerns about your sedation, you can speak with your dentist.
When Is Sedation Used
Sedation dentistry can be used to help anxious patients or to increase comfort during more invasive appointments. If you are interested in this to help you feel at ease during a checkup, you can talk to your dental team beforehand. For patients undergoing more invasive treatments such as fillings, extractions, or root canals, your dentist may discuss this before the appointment begins. The type of anesthesia used during these procedures will depend on your needs and the type of treatment being done. For example, wisdom tooth removal will require a higher level of sedation than a filling in most cases.
Ask Your Dentist About Your Options
Before your next visit, you can talk to your dental team about anesthesia or sedation options. To schedule your next checkup, call Stubbs Family Dentistry in West Allis, WI, at 414-541-8250.
