Relaxing Your Way to a Stress-Free Smile
For many people, a visit to the dentist can be a source of anxiety and fear. However, at Corner Stone Dental, our Swansea, IL dentist, Dr. Randall Wilson offers sedation dentistry, as a solution to help patients relax and feel comfortable during dental procedures. Whether you have mild dental anxiety or a severe dental phobia, sedation dentistry offers a safe and effective way to overcome your fears and receive the oral care you need.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
- Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): This is the mildest form of sedation, often used for patients with mild anxie
ty. Nitrous oxide is inhaled through a mask, inducing a sense of calmness and relaxation. The effects wear off quickly after the procedure. - Oral Sedation: Administered in the form of a pill, patients take it before the appointment. It provides moderate sedation, making patients feel drowsy and relaxed. Although awake, patients often have little memory of the procedure.
- Intravenous (IV) Sedation: A sedative is delivered directly into the bloodstream, leading to a deeper level of sedation. Patients remain conscious but are less aware of the procedure. This method is ideal for more complex treatments or patients with severe anxiety.
- General Anesthesia: Reserved for extensive procedures or patients with extreme dental fear, general anesthesia renders the patient completely unconscious during the procedure.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
- Anxiety Relief: Sedation dentistry alleviates dental anxiety and phobia, enabling patients to undergo necessary treatments without emotional distress.
- Time Efficiency: With the patient relaxed, Dr. Wilson can work more efficiently, often completing multiple procedures in a single visit.
- Pain Management: Sedation helps manage discomfort during dental treatments, making the experience more comfortable for patients.
- Memory Suppression: Patients tend to have little or no memory of the procedure, reducing potential traumatic memories.
Candidacy for Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry is suitable for:
- Patients with dental anxiety or phobia
- Individuals with a strong gag reflex
- Patients who need complex or multiple dental procedures
- Those with a low pain threshold
- Individuals with sensitive teeth
- People with physical or developmental disabilities
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, when administered by a trained and qualified dental professional, sedation dentistry is considered safe. Dentists who provide sedation dentistry have undergone specialized training to ensure the safety and well-being of their patients during the procedure.
No, after undergoing sedation dentistry, you should not drive yourself home. The effects of sedation can impair your ability to drive safely and react quickly, which poses a risk to yourself and others on the road.
The duration of the sedative’s effects depends on the type and amount of medication administered. Generally, the effects of the sedative will wear off within a few hours after the dental procedure. It’s required to have someone drive you home and to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery for the rest of the day.
Overcoming Anxiety With Sedation Dentistry at Corner Stone Dental!
Sedation dentistry has revolutionized the dental experience for those struggling with anxiety or fear. By offering different types of sedation, it ensures that patients can undergo necessary dental procedures without emotional distress. If dental anxiety has been holding you back from achieving a healthy smile, sedation dentistry might be the solution you need to overcome your fears and maintain excellent oral health. Schedule an appointment with our Swansea, IL dentist by calling Corner Stone Dental at (618) 236 – 0501.