Many Americans suffer from dental anxiety and phobia and feel overwhelmed during dental appointments. Consequently, they learn to live with their oral health issues and develop an enduring mechanism against toothache and other problems. This avoidance is dangerous not only for their oral health but also for their overall health.
At Stone Lake Dentistry in Cypress, our approachable team will do our best to keep you comfortable throughout your appointment. We offer a wide selection of sedation techniques for our anxious patients to make them feel calm and relaxed during their procedures.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
One of the chief benefits of sedation dentistry is the reduction or even elimination of the pain that the patient experiences during the procedure. It also helps ease anxiety. It is not uncommon for patients to put off dental appointments because the very thought of having work done creates panic in them. Sedation also helps reduce a patient’s gag reflex by decreasing tooth and gum sensitivity.
Different Types of Sedation Dentistry
The two major types of sedation offered are conscious sedation and general anesthesia. Conscious sedation provides a state of suppressed consciousness during the procedures, whereas general anesthesia provides complete unconsciousness. With general anesthesia, you will not feel or remember anything that has occurred.
Tooth extractions and periodontal surgery are the kinds of procedures that would require sedation dentistry. For minor procedures, the use of sedation is often determined at the discretion of the dentist. Along with the two major types of sedation dentistry, there are different methods of providing the sedation, which include the following:
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is the mildest and most regularly used form of sedation. During this process, Dr. Christian Escobar will place a mouthpiece that dispenses the nitrous oxide and puts you into a relaxed state.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is more potent than nitrous oxide and involves the use of anxiety medication. Oral sedation will place you into a state of deep calm. However, the effect could last for several hours. This means you will need to have someone drive you home following the procedure.
IV Sedation
IV (intravenous) sedation is the most rigorous form of sedation. This type of sedation puts the patient into a sleep-like state for a prolonged period. Patients who undertake this form of sedation usually experience amnesia during and after the treatments. Due to the intensity and after-effects of sedation, you will need someone to drive you back home and stay with you until its effects have worn off.
If you are interested in learning more about sedation dentistry, call Stone Lake Dentistry Cypress, TX 77429 at (832) 930-7856 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Christian Escobar.