Many people suffer from dental anxiety. For those who don’t, it’s hard to understand how the thought of going to the dentist can bring on panic attacks. But for those who have avoided dental work for years because of this intense anxiety, sedation dentistry offers a solution.
Causes of Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety usually occurs as a result of an unpleasant experience with the dentist. If, as a child, you had many cavities or had to have a tooth pulled, your feelings toward the dentist might not be positive. Many dentists who mainly work with adults do not know how to dispel the fears of young children, making it more likely that a child might have an unpleasant experience. Recent emphasis on pediatric dentistry and making dental offices welcoming to children have helped kids avoid bad experiences.
Adults can have bad experiences, too, especially if they have chronic problems with their teeth. If you are naturally anxiety-prone, or have an anxiety or panic disorder, your trips to even the gentlest, mot skilled dentist could be very difficult for you. Unfortunately, chronic dental anxiety often leads people to avoid dental visits, which means there are often many problems to be dealt with once a dental appointment is finally arranged.
How Sedation Dentistry Works
Sedation dentistry helps remove the anxiety and make your experience peaceful and stress-free. This approach is also very effective for oral surgery. Different dentists use different approaches to sedation, but the most common types are:
- Oral sedation—you are given a pill before your appointment
- Intravenous sedation—you are given intravenous medication throughout your appointment
- Nitrous oxide—you receive nitrous oxide by inhalation throughout your appointment
All of these forms of sedation help you relax completely. You might even feel as if you are in a dream-like state. You will not be unconscious, in fact, you’ll be able to follow the dentist’s directions or answer any questions. Used in conjunction with local anesthetic, sedation makes even complex dental work or oral surgery much easier, even for those with severe anxiety.
Call our office today at Kemp & Borovac Dentistry to learn more about the sedation techniques we offer!