Sedation Dentistry: Your Painless, Anxiety-Free Path to a Healthy, Gorgeous Smile
Do you tense up at the idea of making a dental appointment?
Does your heart race a bit when you think of sitting in a dentist’s chair?
Do you feel you have to live with bad teeth or toothaches because the anxiety of dental treatment looms too large?
Dental anxiety can be mild or severe — or something in between. If you procrastinate making an appointment, have trouble sleeping before your procedure, or even find yourself crying or feeling physically sick at the thought of dental treatment, you may be suffering from dental anxiety or dentophobia.
Dentophobia is very real, and many allow it to prevent them from seeking much-needed care. If you’ve been putting off obtaining a healthy smile because of fear or bad memories of past dental procedures, there is an anxiety- and pain-free solution.
You deserve a healthy mouth, too. At Carrie Muzny DDS & Associates, we’re proud to offer sedation dentistry, because we don’t want anxiety to stand in your way. Painless dental care is within reach, for everyone.
What Do We Mean by Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry means you’re given medication to help you relax during a dental procedure.
It doesn’t usually mean you’ll be unconscious, but it can. Depending on your needs, we offer three levels of sedation:
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Nitrous Oxide
You may know this as “laughing gas.” Administered through a mask, nitrous oxide makes you feel instantly comfortable and relaxed, but it won’t put you to sleep. You’ll remain awake through the procedure, capable of responding to the dentist’s commands. The effects of the gas wear off quickly once the mask is removed.
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Oral Sedation
We’ll prescribe a pill for you to pick up at the pharmacy and take at a scheduled time before your appointment. This will help you feel relaxed, but remain awake and responsive throughout your procedure. You’ll need to make arrangements for returning home after your appointment, as you won’t be able to drive.
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IV Sedation
IV sedation will actually put you to sleep, and you’ll need to make arrangements for getting home after your procedure. IV sedation is typically only offered for procedures like extractions, root canals, dental implants, and the pulling of wisdom teeth.
What Are the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry?
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Sedation temporarily paralyzes your gag reflex.
You need your gag reflex in life, of course, but it hinders progress during a dental procedure. Even worse, the spasms from a gag reflex can cause damage if they occur at the wrong time. With sedation dentistry, there’s no need to be concerned about gagging.
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Sedation eliminates pain during the procedure.
It’s important to note that not only does sedation eliminate your brain’s ability to register pain during the procedure, but allows you to be more relaxed going into it because there’s no need to fear pain.
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Sedation prevents you from forming bad memories.
Sedation dentistry prevents you from remembering your procedure. This means you won’t be adding to your anxiety by forming new “bad” memories. You’ll awake with a positive type of anterograde amnesia that could leave you more relaxed about dental work in the future.
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Sedation speeds up the process.
Sedation dentistry is faster for a few reasons. First, your reflexes are not working against the dentist or oral surgeon, and since you’re totally relaxed, your procedure can be completed much faster. Additionally, your dentist can combine multiple procedures into one visit — procedures that years ago, without the medical technology of sedation dentistry, may have taken several visits to complete.
Who Can Benefit From Sedation Dentistry?
Many people may find sedation dentistry to be the solution for their dental care needs, including the following:
- Those who have fear or anxiety at the thought of dental procedures
- Those who are less responsive than the average person to anesthesia
- People with a strong gag reflex
- People with bad memories from past dental work
- Those with a low tolerance for pain
- Those with a small mouth or jaw pain
- People who fear needles, blood, or pain
- People who need a large amount of dental work or cosmetic dentistry
- Small children who have a difficult time sitting still
- People with special needs, such as sensory disorders
Your Safety and Comfort is Our Priority
Sedation dentistry at Carrie Muzny DDS & Associates is incredibly safe, as our expert dentists are thoroughly and extensively trained, experienced, and licensed by the American Dental Association. We want you to be fully comfortable and relaxed so you can obtain the care you deserve without dread.
Does feeling totally relaxed or sleeping throughout a procedure sound like the solution you’ve been needing? Don’t put off your dental work any longer! Contact Carrie Muzny DDS & Associates online, or call us at 281.298.2205.
