Extreme dental phobias can make you ignore your oral health, resulting in severe oral health complications that might be challenging to treat. If fear or anxiety makes you skip several appointments, you are not alone. Sedation dentistry might be what you need to discuss with your dentist. Your Woodlands dentist, Scott Young, believes that sedation dentistry may be beneficial if you have special needs like sensitivity or have dental anxiety. The therapeutic dental treatment prompts your dentist to administer sedatives to help you relax and overcome your fears throughout a dental appointment. However, before sedation, your doctor must thoroughly review your medical history to minimize your risks of complications.

Benefits of sedation dentistry

Sedation dentistry has a wide range of benefits. For instance, the therapeutic medical procedure makes you feel like the procedure took a few minutes, even if the treatment took several hours. The treatment makes it ideal for complex procedures like smile makeovers. Since you are likely to spend extended hours on your dentist’s chair because of sedation dentistry, dental procedures requiring multiple sessions will likely take fewer appointments.

The sedation may also come in handy, especially if you have dental phobias and anxiety. The therapy will help you remain calm and composed throughout your routine check-ups and complex dental treatments. As a result, it allows patients with extreme phobias to get the necessary care they need.  

Sedation dentistry might also benefit patients with special needs. You are likely to find it impossible to deal with most dental appointments, especially if you have Down syndrome or are autistic. As a result, sedation might help you feel relaxed throughout your appointment, minimizing your risks of jeopardizing your oral health.

Generally, the therapy might benefit different patients differently. For instance, you may find sedation practical if you have:

•  A relatively small mouth that is likely to swell or get sores during any dental treatment
•  Dental phobias
• Resistance to local anesthetics
• Sensitive oral nerves likely to react to dental procedures 
• Anxiety disorders
• Had a bad past dental experience

Who is the perfect candidate for sedation dentistry?

Though sedation dentistry is effective and will shield you from potential pain during a dental procedure, the therapeutic process is not a recommendation for everyone. Before sedation, your dentist will evaluate your overall health, including your mental, psychological and physical health, before consenting to the treatment. The medical professional will also review your medical history or request medical clearance from your doctor before he continues with sedation.

What are the sedation forms you are likely to have?

The different ways your healthcare provider may recommend in sedation dentistry include:

• Light sedation (Nitrous oxide). The laughing gas helps you remain calm throughout the process
• Oral sedatives (moderate sedation). Your doctor will issue you a pill some hours before the treatment.  
• IV sedation. The doctor administers the medication through an IV line in your arm

Sedation dentistry is your ideal option if you have severe dental anxiety and phobia. The process might also be beneficial when you have a complex dental procedure. Call your dentist today and ask about your sedation options if you want to feel relaxed on your next dental appointment or have missed several appointments because of severe dental phobias.