There is such a thing as dental anxiety, and it consists of the fear of dental practices of any kind. People who suffer from dental anxiety are afraid of the unknown, weird noises, dental instruments, and dental procedures.
Luckily, there are options to make these patients feel calm and relaxed, and sedation dentistry in Chestermere is one of them.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry, as its name suggests, consists of using pharmacological agents (sedatives) to calm a patient’s anxiety during a dental procedure. Depending on your dental anxiety, you may use it for minor procedures, such as the placing of a dental filling or even for dental implant surgery.
If you are looking to know more about sedation dentistry near you, keep reading, because our dentist in Chestermere will tell you what you can expect from it.
Who Qualifies for it?
You may look for sedation dentistry if you are afraid of suffering in a dental office (even though that is a misconception) and if you are sensitive to loud noises or have a sensitive gag reflex. Also, if you are a parent to a kid that cannot even sit at the dental chair or has special needs, it is an excellent option.
What Are the Types of Sedation Dentistry?
There are different types of sedation dentistry. We will describe them below:
- Nitrous Oxide – It is also known as a laughing gas, and it consists of nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen. A dentist near you will place a mask over your nose, and as you inhale the gas, you will feel calm. The effects are immediate, and they wear off as soon as your dentist removes your mask.
- Oral Sedation – It consists of taking a sedative through a pill about an hour before the procedure, which will make you feel relaxed. It is the most common method, and it does not make you unconscious; however, you will remember little to no parts of the procedure. Make sure you bring someone that drives you home afterward because you will feel drowsy for some hours.
- Intravenous Sedation – It is another form of sedation, and it consists of administering sedatives to a patient intravenously. You will also experience amnesia after the procedure (you won’t be able to remember what happened), and you will feel drowsy, so you must arrange your drive back home. As for your daily activities, you may resume them the next day.
- General Anesthesia – It is also known as an induced coma, and it is a deep form of sedation. It makes you unconscious so you won’t feel pain during the procedure, and you will have amnesia afterward.
Prepare for Your Appointment
If you already discussed the sedation dentistry of your choice, it is essential that you also follow other recommendations for a more comfortable procedure, such as:
- Wear comfy clothes.
- Listen to relaxing music before reaching the dental office.
- Bring any personal items of your preference, such as a blanket.
- Depending on the sedation dentistry, you may not eat or drink anything for some hours before the procedure.
We can ensure that if you follow the recommendations above, your visit will be more pleasant, and your dental experience will be different. We have a team of caring professionals who look forward to helping you achieve better oral health without any fears.
If you have any other questions about this or another dental topic, feel free to contact our dental offices at your earliest convenience. You may schedule a free consultation visit for guidance whenever it is best for you!