We’re all a little afraid of visiting the dentist. Placing yourself in that vulnerable position and giving control of your teeth over to another person is anxiety inducing. Levels of dental fear differ greatly – some patients are merely a bit tense in the dental chair, and others find themselves unable to enter a dentist’s office. Unfortunately, dental anxiety can have negative effects on patients’ oral health. Those too afraid to seek dental treatment find themselves with decay so significant that they will need extensive dental work to repair the damage that’s been done.
Our dentists alleviate this fear by providing sedation dentistry. Our patients have the comfort of knowing that their dental appointments will be experienced exactly as they wish. No matter the level of dental anxiety, there is appropriate sedation that will induce calm and transform dental experiences from frightening to fulfilling.
IV Sedation
Those incredibly nervous about dental treatment need something more than mere anesthesia. IV sedation provides patients with a sedative medication for the duration of treatment. While it is often called “sleep sedation,” IV sedation does not place patients in an unconscious state the way general anesthesia does. Instead, intravenous sedation induces an all-encompassing state of relaxation. While they are aware and responsive during treatment, many patients find that they do not remember their dental procedure after it is completed.
There are a few precautions you will need to take prior to and following IV sedation, including not eating prior to treatment and being sure to rest afterward. Communicate with our staff to ensure that you are properly prepared.
Nitrous Oxide
Like IV sedation, nitrous oxide acts as a sedating force for the length of treatment. It is inhaled rather than received intravenously. Undergoing treatment with nitrous carries fewer safeguards than with IV sedation, but many patients find the sedating effects of nitrous to be less intense than those of IV sedation. We are happy to discuss both options with you and help you decide which is most appropriate.
Dental Anesthesia
While sedation is not necessary for every patient, anesthesia is always provided when pain is a potential factor of treatment. Local anesthesia is administered at the work site to numb the area and prevent any discomfort.
If you’ve struggled to seek dental treatment in the past, consider trying our sedation options. We will not proceed with your treatment until you are comfortable. For sedation dentistry Fort Lauderdale chooses Sierra Dental.
