With half of all adult Americans being scared of the dentist, it can be hard to bring yourself to make this all important visit.
With a majority of procedures at the dental office striking fear into the heart of patients, most tend to put this off.
There is good news though - many procedures can be performed while the patient is sedated.
This allows for the patient to be much more comfortable while the procedure is taking place.
Sedation, in terms of dentistry, may be accomplished through a few different methods.
The first of which is through inhalation of nitrous oxide or "laughing gas".
This is a very common form of sedation and is minimally invasive.
The second method is oral sedation, which is accomplished through an anti-anxiety pill or liquid.
The final method is IV sedation, which is medication administered directly into the bloodstream.
One of the major benefits of being sedated for a dental procedure is the ability to have the work done with no recollection of it happening once the patient becomes conscious.
Many people want no recollection because of the fear of a person prodding around in their mouth with tools scares them mightily.
While sedation can also be a fear for some patients, many feel as though this is a perfect way to relax and make dental work go much more smoothly.
Another major benefit to sedation dental work is the ability to have multiple procedures done at once, resulting in fewer appointments for the patient.
If a fear of the dentist is a concern, then fewer trips to the dentist is a great benefit.
Saving time is also a plus with the busy schedule that most people keep these days.
The main benefit most people gain from being sedated is the absence of most pain.
Many procedures can be painful, even though dentists use numbing agents.
Even the perception that procedures are painful leads to fear in many patients.
While sedated, the patient feels little to no sensation at all, including pain.
Even upon waking up from sedation, the effects may last for a brief period of time and allow the pain to continue to be alleviated.
Sedation dentistry can be a savior for many patients, making it easier to get over the fear of seeing their oral care provider.
Most dentists are very aware that this is a hard fear to conquer for many of their patients and usually more than willing to alleviate this fear in any way possible.
This may not be the correct option for everyone, so make sure to consult your dentist and find out if this is a viable option for your situation.