Dental anxiety can be a real problem for some people and can make a visit to the dentist downright terrifying. Fortunately, sedation dentistry can help ease your worries and make the pain go away. There are different types of sedation to choose from, all of which can help you feel relaxed and comfortable during your appointment. The most common types of sedation are nitrous oxide or laughing gas, oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. Laughing gas is inhaled through a small mask placed over your nose to help you relax during treatment. Oral conscious sedation is administered in the form of a pill that you take about an hour before the procedure. IV sedation is a type of moderate sedation that requires an IV line to administer the sedative. General anesthesia puts you to sleep during the procedure. While all types will help you get through the procedure without pain, IV sedation helps the most with relieving anxiety and being able to get all of your work done in a single visit. This helps you avoid the additional stress of having to make multiple trips to your dentist. Here are the major benefits of sedation dentistry.

Anxiety Relief

Fear of the dentist is a common fear among adults, but it doesn't have to be because sedation dentistry can completely alleviate your anxiety. While under some form of sedation, you remain conscious and able to respond to any requests from your dentist. However, you won't feel pain or any discomfort during the procedure. Your mind is relaxed, and you're likely to forget some or all of the procedure. For many patients, this is the difference between tolerating regular cleanings and having healthy teeth for a lifetime.

Anterograde Amnesia

This refers to a type of memory loss after an amnesia episode. Patients remember nothing of what happened while they were under sedation dentistry. If you suffer from dental anxiety, this may be something you may appreciate about sedation dentistry. Some patients also report more restful sleep after a procedure.

Reduction in Gag Reflex

When a patient is undergoing a procedure that will require them to receive an injection, the gag reflex can cause them to regurgitate or cough up whatever they just swallowed. A sedation medication can help greatly reduce the occurrence of this reflex response.

During an appointment where the patient will be given local anesthesia, a sedative will help them to relax and keep their throat muscles from contracting and causing regurgitation. If you suffer from a strong gag reflex, ask your dentist about sedation dentistry and how it can help you to avoid becoming nauseous during treatments.

The Dentist Can Work Faster

If you've never had a dentist sedate you before, you might be surprised by how much faster your appointments are when you're under sedation dentistry. Many patients have reported that their procedures lasted less than an hour when under sedation. This is because the dentist can work more efficiently without constantly having to stop and check in with the patient to make sure they are still comfortable. This also means that you will have fewer appointments to restore your oral health to where it should be.

At Kusek Family & Implant Dentistry, we offer a full range of services in a relaxed dental environment. To learn more about our dental services or to schedule your consultation with one of our dentists, call us at 605-371-3443 or visit us at 4921 E. 26th St., Suite 1, Sioux Falls, SD 57110.