Many of our patients who have fears of the dentist or dental anxiety feel that they suffer alone. In reality, between 30 and 40 million Americans put off or cancel trips to the dentist as a result of dental phobia. Dental anxiety can stem from a negative experience in the past, a fear of needles, or nervousness triggered by the smells in a doctor’s office. If you get sweaty palms at the mere mention of dental treatment, do not lose hope—you are not alone, and we have a number of sedation dentistry solutions for you here at Lyons Dental in Centerville Ohio.
Sedation dentistry is a method of helping patients feel at-ease during their dental appointments. Depending on the technique, a certain medication will be provided to help calm patients, either by deeply relaxing them or temporarily putting them to sleep. From moderate nitrous oxide, to safely prescribed oral-conscious sedation, our patients have a wide range of anxiety-reducing options.
For many patients, sedation dentistry is the reason they are able to get the treatment they need, without putting it off due to anxiety or discomfort. Our team is pleased to offer such an effective resource for patients who tend to dread the dentist’s chair.
The calming environment and friendly team at Lyons Dental help put our patients immediately at ease. In fact, Dr. Linty is especially well-known for her easy-going demeanor and calming chairside manner, which helps even the most anxious patients feel comfortable and confident in the care they will receive. However, we understand that many people suffer from dental anxiety, which can make any visit to the dentist’s office nerve-wracking. For our patients who feel nervous or uneasy, we have a number of safe and effective sedation dentistry options available at Lyons Dental to help them relax.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation Dentistry
Many of our patients feel sufficiently calmed when we administer nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide is a great way for our patients to unwind during treatment while remaining awake. A small device is placed over the patient’s nose, and as they breathe in the nitrous oxide, they will gradually fade into a very relaxed state. When properly administered, the effects of this gas wear off quickly enough that patients can drive themselves home.
Oral-Conscious Sedation Dentistry
The next level of sedation, known as oral-conscious sedation, has become increasingly popular. Commonly referred to as sedation, or “sleep” dentistry, this method involves the administration of prescription medications to our patients just before treatment. Oral sedation dentistry enables our patients to reach a deeper state of sedation than is possible with nitrous oxide, allowing them to remain conscious yet anxiety-free. When we employ this method, our patients are often able to undergo multiple treatments or procedures in one visit. Sedation dentistry makes smile makeovers and other cosmetic enhancements and restorative dentistry procedures much more comfortable and convenient, and it also saves our patients time by reducing the number of visits they must make to our office.
Sedation dentistry offers patients with general anxiety or fears about a dental procedure the opportunity to have a more comfortable and stress-free experience. By utilizing safe and controlled sedation techniques, the patient is eased into a state of complete relaxation before the procedure. This approach eliminates discomfort, pain, and preoperative anxiety, and typically makes patients feel more at ease post-operatively, as they have little or no memory of the actual moment-to-moment procedure.
Local anesthesia involves an injection directly into or close to the area where a procedure is being performed. While it eliminates any sensation of pain in the targeted area, it does not affect your state of mind or level of anxiety. When a patient receives sedation, additional medications to ease anxiety and promote relaxation are employed in advance of local anesthesia. In this way, both the stress and discomfort associated with a procedure are eliminated. Sedation can be administered in a variety of forms based upon patient needs and the recommendations of the dentist or dental anesthesiologist.
Choosing the most appropriate method of sedation for a procedure depends on a variety of factors such as a patient's medical history and their level of anxiety. Dental sedation can come in the form of nitrous oxide sedation, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Certain patients receiving comprehensive treatment or undergoing a complex surgical procedure may require general anesthesia in a hospital setting.
Nitrous oxide, or "laughing gas," is a mild sedative, which is inhaled through a small mask over the nose. A standard in dental sedation for decades, the effects of nitrous oxide are almost immediate and wear off quickly once your procedure is completed.
Oral sedation involves the prescription of an oral medication prior to your appointment. Taken at the recommended time before your visit, oral sedation allows you to feel fully relaxed by the time you're ready for your procedure. With oral sedation, it's necessary to plan on having an escort to and from your dentist's office.
IV Sedation is administered intravenously, or directly into a vein. It is typically indicated when a deeper state of sedation is required. Your dentist will provide you with specific instructions before your visit, and require that you have an escort for the trip home from your appointment.
