While modern technology and technique have drastically improved professional dental care, we realize that there is still a notable population of patients who are fearful about going to the dentist. Unfortunately, it is nearly impossible to retain optimal oral health and avoid the dental office altogether. If you are ignoring dental pain or putting off your routine cleanings due to fear or anxiety, it is important that you consider sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry is a method of administering a controlled amount of sedative medicine before or during a dental procedure in order to create a calm and relaxing experience for the patient. It does not “put you to sleep” like general anesthesia. Rather, many patients remain awake, able to communication and in a peaceful state of mind.
Sedation dentistry can involve breathing in a colorless gas during your procedure (nitrous oxide inhalation) or taking a sedative pill before you arrive to your appointment (oral sedation). Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is among the most popular form of sedation. It is used on patients of all ages and has no lingering side effects. In fact, you are safe to drive yourself home after your procedure. Regardless of which type of sedation you choose, you can expect an easy and highly effective solution to combat your dental phobia.
Reasons Why Patients Choose Sedation Dentistry
Keep in mind that sedation dentistry can be used during any type of procedure, from a simple routine cleaning to a wisdom tooth extraction. There are a wide variety of reasons why patients may have anxiety or negative feelings about the dentist and thus benefit from sedation dentistry, including the following:
- A lengthy or complex procedure
- Fear of pain
- Fear of needles
- Aversion to sights, sounds or smell of dental office
- Sensitive gag reflex
- Mental or physical limitation that makes it difficult to sit still
- Past negative dental experience
Whether your dental phobia is rooted in a psychological or physiological reason, we want to redefine the way you view dental care. At Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Atlanta, we proudly offer sedation dentistry in a modern, comfortable atmosphere. Please let us know of any concerns, fears or anxieties you may have surrounding your dental visit, as our staff will go above and beyond to create the positive and stress-free experience you deserve. Call today to learn more about how nitrous oxide or oral sedation can benefit you.
