Do you have a dental phobia? If so, you are not alone. Dental phobia is one of the main reasons people put off having dental work done. But it doesn’t have to be that way. There is something that can help—sedation dentistry.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry, which is sometimes referred to as sleep dentistry, is when medication is used to relieve anxiety and put a patient into a state of relaxation. The sedation process can be via oral sedation in the form of a pill, nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, or IV sedation, which is a medication that is delivered intravenously.  

Seven Little-Known Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

1. Relieve Anxiety

Sedation dentistry is widely used to help people with their dental phobias and anxieties. The sedation helps patients relax and have any necessary dental work done comfortably.

2. Reduces Gag Reflex Spasms

A gag reflex is a normal, healthy occurrence that is meant to force the throat to contract to help prevent a person from choking. However, some people have an overly sensitive gag reflex. Gag reflexes cause problems for those people when they brush their teeth and have dental work done.

Sedation dentistry is extremely helpful when used for people who need dental work done but have extreme gag reflexes. There are times when the dentist must go deep into someone’s mouth to perform the necessary dental work. However, extreme gag reflexes can prevent the dentist from doing so. When sedation dentistry is used, it paralyzes the gag reflex, so it is no longer a problem.

3. Pain Relief

There are some dental procedures that cause pain in the teeth and gums. However, when sedation dentistry is used, it completely removes the pain. This is because the brain can’t detect pain when someone has been sedated or has received anesthetics. That is why sedation dentistry has become so popular.

4. Enables Multiple Dental Treatments During One Visit

There are times when a person might need complex dental work done. Sedation dentistry enables the dentist to perform all the required dental work in one visit. This saves the patient time and money.

5. Allows the Dentist to Work Faster and More Efficiently

When a patient has been sedated, it makes it easier for the dentist to work. This is because the dentist won’t have to worry about the patient’s comfort or any reactions to the treatment. That also means the dentist will be able to work faster to get the patient in and out of the office more quickly.

6. An Unmemorable Experience

IV sedation and some types of oral sedation will enable a patient to have their dental work done without remembering it. This helps eliminate the fear of the patient’s next dental visit.

7. Ideal for People with Special Needs

People with special needs find sedation dentistry the best way to go through a dental procedure. This is because sedation dentistry helps people who may or may not completely understand the dental process to relax, remain calm, and be comfortable throughout the treatment.

What’s Next?

If you need a dentist in Albuquerque, NM or would like more information about sedation dentistry, please contact Desert Ridge Dental today.  We look forward to working with you!