Learn more about Sedation Dentistry: Treatment, Cost & Procedure

What is dental fear?

Dental fear is also called dental phobia or odontophobia. Patients who have this condition experience immobilizing fear of visiting a dentist and obtain oral care. Addressing the issue of dental care would prevent delay in seeking oral care and thus prevent life-threatening emergencies. There are many causes of dental fear like the fear of pain, drilling sound, the smell of the dental office, fear of dental tools, fear of needles, fear of being helpless, gagging, and many more.

How common is dental phobia?

Studies have found that 30-50% of the population avoid going to a dentist regularly because of their anxiety and fear of visiting a dental clinic or sit in a dental chair.

How will sedation help my anxiety?

In sedation, your dentist will give you anti-anxiety drugs or nitrous oxide gas, or anesthesia. These will help in calming you by decreasing your cognition (awareness and memory). As a result, you would be less intimidated during and after the treatment. You would be encouraged to get treated for your dental problems without procrastination due to dental fear. Moreover, you can get more procedures done in a single appointment. Sedation would reduce your number of visits to the dental office and reduce the hassle of scheduling multiple appointments.

How can I approach my dentist regarding sedation dentistry?

Dr. Adatrow is a highly qualified and indiana university-trained healthcare professional. You can openly talk about your fears and concerns regarding your dental treatments with him during your first dental visit. He will take the utmost care of you and address all your problems. Providing details about your medications (including supplements), medical history, habits like alcohol or smoking to your dentist is crucial. All these factors would alter your response to sedation medication. Based on your medical history, medications, preferences (cultural or personal), and treatment needed, your dentist would advise you on appropriate sedation techniques without any judgment.

What are the medicines used in sedation dentistry?

Your dentist would prescribe medication types for sedation dentistry based on your treatment procedure and your medical history. The most commonly used medicines are a group of drugs called benzodiazepines (valium) and nitrous oxide gas. They help in reducing dental anxiety.

What is the difference between IV sedation and General Anesthesia?

You will be awake during your dental procedure but will not feel any discomfort thanks to IV conscious sedation. You are wholly unconscious during general anesthesia and cannot be woken — not even by painful stimuli. Furthermore, general anesthesia necessitates additional breathing assistance. It can affect heart rate and other life-sustaining activities, requiring an anesthesiologist to monitor vital indicators like blood pressure, heart rate, and pulse. With IV sedation, you will be safer and more comfortable “semi-awake” state with reduced anxiety. Because of the amnesic impact of the drugs used to deliver sedation, you will most likely have little or no recall of the procedure afterward. While sedated, you can respond to verbal directions and light physical touch. You do not require medical aid to maintain proper breathing and heart function when under IV conscious sedation.
Sedation Dentistry, Memphis, TN

How will I feel during sedation?

Sedation will reduce your awareness, making you will feel more relaxed. Your memory, responsiveness, and consciousness during the procedure would vary based on the type of sedation used. You would not be losing total consciousness unless it is general anesthesia. Since you feel relaxed during and after the procedure, you would positively react to the treatment performed, and dental fear would gradually start reducing.

What is the difference between IV sedation and general anesthesia?

One of the significant differences between both the procedure is the patient's breathing. In IV sedation, the patient breathes on his/her own. However, in general anesthesia, the patient would lose control of his respiratory muscles, so the respiration has to be supported by special medical equipment.

Will I experience any pain during sedation dentistry?

No, you will not experience any pain during sedation. Sedation helps in dulling your senses, and you would be less conscious. You would experience less pain, less fear, less anxiety, and less memory of the procedure. Sedation dentistry is becoming popular. More and more people opt to make their dental visits less painful and, thus, more pleasant.

Can I choose what kind of sedation I would like to undergo?

The type of sedation is best to decide by your doctor. Dr. Adatrow will assess your medical history, medications, anxiety level, and treatments required and determine the type of sedation that will give you the best results.

Why Sedation Dentistry at Advanced Dental and TMJ Center?

We at Advanced Dental & TMJ Center thrive for providing world-class care to our patients. We make sure that all our patients are comfortable and satisfied with their treatment. Dr. Adatrow is passionate about providing personalized care. He spends time with the patients, understands his patient's condition, and recommends the best possible treatment. He has intensively trained in the Indiana University hospital for administering sedation to his patients. He is the only practicing board-certified periodontist and prosthodontist in the southern United States. He has experience of more than 17 years.

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