Calm Your Anxiety of Seeing a Dentist with Sedation Dentistry in Richmond, VA
Dental medicine research reveals that about fifteen percent of Americans experience anxiety when visiting the dentist. If you are one of them, sedation dentistry might calm your anxiety and fears. At Brightwork Family Dentistry, Dr. Benjamin J. Crowley offers sedation dentistry to patients in and around Richmond, Virginia. To learn more, call or schedule an appointment online today.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Also referred to as sleep dentistry, it is a technique that makes patients relax when undertaking dental treatments. There are four sedation dentistry levels, including minimal, moderate, deep, and general anesthesia. General anesthesia is the only type of drug that makes the patients entirely unconscious. All other forms of drugs make you relax without making you entirely unconscious. The medication helps eliminate anxiety, makes you sleepy, and reduces your sensitivity allowing you to relax and stop fearing the pain.
Why Should You Consider Sedation Dentistry?
Some people do not experience any fear or anxiety when they visit a dentist and are often okay with a local anesthetic. Some of the reasons why you should consider sleep dentistry include a general anxiety disorder, sensitive oral nerves, phobia of dental procedures, bad dental treatment experience in the past, resistance to local anesthetic, and a small mouth that becomes sore during a dental procedure. If you have any of these issues, Brightwork Family Dentistry offers practical and convenient sleep dentistry services. Dr. Crowley and his team will help you get through any dental problem, including dental implantation, tooth extractions, root canals, and more.
How Safe Are These Types of Sedation?
Dr. Crowley is professionally trained and licensed to administer two types of sedatives: nitrous oxide and oral sedation. The doctor assesses you during your initial consultation and recommends the best sedation method for your fear and anxiety level. Both of these sedation types are entirely safe.
What Is Sedation with Nitrous Oxide?
This is a form of minimal sedation that is used in sedation dentistry. Dr. Crowley provides sedation in the form of nitrous oxide. It involves placing a mask over your nose for you to breathe to help you relax. The doctor controls the quantity of gas you inhale. The sedation effects wear off quickly so that you can easily drive yourself home after the procedure.
What Is the Difference Between Nitrous Oxide and Oral Sedation?
Oral sedation involves using a mild sedative, usually a specific pill with similar effects to the popular valium. The doctor starts by administering a small dose an hour before your dental procedure to relax and calm you. Depending on your relaxation level, the doctor may administer a higher dose of the medication for moderate sedation. For minimal or moderate sedation, you may need someone to accompany you during your dental appointment as you might still experience some sleepiness after the dental procedure. However, with nitrous oxide, you are able to drive after the procedure.
To sum up, do not let the anxiety of seeing the dentist prevent you from undergoing the needed dental care. For sedation dentistry in and around Richmond, VA, call or book an appointment online with Brightwork Family Dentistry today.
