Dental Phobia and Sedation Dentistry 101
Dental phobia and fear of pain are quite common in dental patients, and Indigo Dentistry is here to help. We’re proud to offer conscious sedation services to help even our most anxious patients relax in the dental chair. Your comfort and well-being are always our top priorities!
Dental Phobia – An Overview
Did you know that over 75 percent of adults experience dental fear or anxiety? Of these, 5-10 percent experience fear and a sense of dread so profound that it’s classified as dental phobia. Some patients require cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to reduce their dental anxiety and phobia.
Who Is a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Candidates for sedation dentistry include patients with dental phobia, a bad gag reflex, extremely sensitive teeth, and a low pain threshold. It’s also beneficial to patients who have difficulty getting and staying numb using local anesthetics and those in need of complex or lengthy dental procedures. Sedation dentistry is highly recommended for children who can’t sit still for long and for patients with special physical, medical, or behavioral needs.
What Are the Forms of Dental Sedation?
At Indigo Dentistry, we offer nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation. Dr. Collier will recommend the option that’s best for you, depending on your unique needs and the treatments you require. Regardless of the form of sedation, we’ll also administer a local anesthetic to eliminate the pain.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): This is the most popular type of sedation. It involves breathing a combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a mask placed over your nose. You’ll feel calm and relaxed yet remain awake and responsive. The sedative will wear off as soon as we remove your mask, allowing you to resume your daily activities with no downtime.
Oral Sedation: This conscious form of sedation involves taking a pill before your procedure. You’ll feel relaxed and sleepy but will be awake and responsive. You’ll likely have little to no recollection of your treatment. The effects of the sedatives may linger, so make sure you arrange for someone to drive you home and stay with you until you’re fully alert.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Sedation dentistry has been shown to be highly safe when administered by a trained and experienced dental professional. At Indigo Dentistry, we follow all recommended safety protocols and monitor you closely during the treatment. Your safety and well-being are at the forefront of our practice.
Sedation Dentistry Near Me
Contact Indigo Dentistry in Cedar Hill, TX, to learn more about our sedation dentistry options. We’re all about providing our valued patients with comfortable, anxiety-free dentistry. Call us and schedule your appointment today!