5 Signs That Sedation Dentistry Might Be Right For You

It is very common to have reservations about an upcoming dental procedure. Whether you face dental anxiety or have a different dilemma that may affect your care, it can leave you feeling stressed and unsure if you will be able to sit through your visit. Furthermore, dental treatments require patients to remain still throughout the entire process so that dentists can perform their duties effectively. 

Thankfully, sedation dentistry offers a helpful solution for a range of different struggles people face when going to the dentist, creating comfortable, smooth experiences for patients and dentists alike.

Read on to discover five signs that sedation dentistry might be the right choice for you.

About Sedation Dentistry 

Sedation dentistry refers to any dental procedure in which a patient is given sedative medication beforehand. Though reasons may vary from person to person, the end result is a much more comfortable treatment experience. 

Sedation can reduce pain and anxiety and create a calm, dreamlike state, although you will typically still be awake. Depending on the type of sedation, there might be some form of memory loss of your visit. 

At Durango Dental, we offer the following options for sedation: 

• IV sedation: During IV sedation, patients receive medication through an IV drip. Effects are felt immediately upon administration, and you will feel relaxed and sleepy. With this form of sedation, partial or total amnesia is normal. 

• Oral conscious sedation: In oral conscious sedation, you will take a pill or a liquid before your appointment. You will be awake, but you will feel more at ease throughout the treatment. Amnesia may or may not occur, as effects can vary greatly from person to person.

Though both methods offer comfort, IV sedation offers a deeper sense of relaxation and is felt instantly, whereas oral conscious sedation is less strong and happens gradually. 

Dental Anxiety

One of the most universal problems people face when going to the dentist is dental anxiety. It’s a struggle for many people, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of if you feel nervous about a procedure that’s coming up.

While some people feel a little unsure, others feel extreme anxiety that can cause significant distress in their lives. In certain cases, people will avoid the dentist entirely out of fear, even when they need a treatment for the sake of their oral health. 

Wherever you may fall on that scale, sedation dentistry can be a great solution to ease your nerves and help you go into your visit feeling calm and safe. 

Strong Gag Reflex

A gag reflex is an automatic response from your body that is meant to stop you from ever choking. It can also prevent you from breathing in or swallowing a harmful substance. 

Similarly to how your body can tell you to jerk your hand back after touching a hot surface before your mind has even caught up, gag reflexes work quickly and are not something you are normally thinking about.

This response can be more intense for some people, and patients with strong gag reflexes may find that it interferes with their dental visits. Because sedation dentistry can relax your throat muscles, it can help both patients and dentists throughout procedures. 

Sensitive Teeth

If you have sensitive teeth, the dentist’s office may feel more intimidating. This condition is known as dentin hypersensitivity, and it is experienced as a sharp pain in one or more of your teeth when exposed to specific stimuli. It’s often most noticeable when you have hot or cold food or when you brush and floss. 

Tooth sensitivity can happen for many different reasons. Plaque buildup, excessive toothbrushing, gum disease, and whitening products are just a few of the potential culprits. And when you are more prone to pain in your teeth, a treatment may be uncomfortable for you. 

Thankfully, sedation can reduce pain or eliminate it entirely, and it might be the right choice for you if you struggle with tooth sensitivity. 

Problems Sitting Still

Some patients have a hard time sitting still during an appointment, especially when it is longer or addresses more than one issue in the same visit. 

This can be related to dental anxiety, gag reflexes, or sensitive teeth, or it can stem from a separate issue like discomfort or sensory overload. Fearing a loss of control is a particularly common struggle for many people who visit the dentist. 

Sedation keeps you still for extended periods of time while helping you relax. Beyond enhancing your experience, it can greatly help dental professionals in doing their jobs. 

Complicated, Painful, or Lengthy Procedures

Though some dental visits tend to be pretty straightforward and focused on cleanings, others might be more complicated. Implants, extractions, root canals, and gum surgeries might be necessary at some point in your future. 

Though they are not always pleasant, they are important for your dental health and well-being. If your upcoming procedure has the potential to be complex, painful, or long, you might consider sedation to help. 

Additionally, you may need more than one treatment. Instead of having to schedule multiple appointments for each one, sedation can help dentists take care of multiple or even all of them at once. 

Questions about Sedation Dentistry?

We want every patient to feel as comfortable as possible during their visits at Durango Dental. If you feel like sedation dentistry might be a beneficial solution for your needs, we’d love to talk it through with you. 

For questions about sedation dentistry or any of our other services, reach out to our team today.