Studies show that over 30 million Americans avoid seeing a dentist throughout the year because of anxiety or phobia. That means this population is missing out on the many benefits of regularly visiting a dentist for care. Furthermore, they’re allowing their dental insurance to go to waste. A remedy for this issue is sedation dentistry in Lakeway. It not only serves as a way to overcome fears and anxieties, but it also provides a route for receiving more complex forms of care in a comfortable manner. Find out what you need to know about each form of sedation dentistry available as you read on.
Method #1 – Nitrous Oxide
Also called laughing gas, nitrous oxide is used for milder anxieties. This form of sedation creates a more euphoric feeling that allows you to comfortably receive the care you need.
A small mask is placed over the nose that allows for a steady delivery of the medication, which can be adjusted by your dentist throughout the treatment process. Another perk of this method is that once the medication is discontinued, the effects wear-off relatively quickly, and you’ll be able to drive yourself home and go about your normal business.
Method #2 – Oral Conscious Sedation
For more acute cases of anxiety and phobia, there is oral conscious sedation, which is administered in pill form. Typically, you’ll take the medication about an hour before your appointment so that by the time you arrive for care, you’re already relaxed.
Because this is such an effective form of sedation, many patients have no recollection of what happens at the visit. It also requires more planning because the effects will take hours to dissipate. Therefore, you’ll need to have a driver for the remainder of the day, and you shouldn’t operate any heavy machinery.
Method #3 – IV Sedation
For more complex forms of care, there is the IV sedation method, which delivers the medication directly into the bloodstream. Patients are able to be fully relaxed and may even drift to sleep during treatment.
After the treatment is done, you’ll be given time to recover in the chair before leaving. For this form of sedation, you’ll also need a driver because the effects can take hours to wear-off.
Friendly Staff Members Available
If you still have more questions about sedation dentistry, you can reach out to a friendly staff member at Eaddy Dentistry so you’ll know what to expect from your visit. So to be empowered with a way to overcome any reservations about receiving oral care, schedule a visit with your dentist in Lakeway today.
About the Author
A graduate of The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry, Dr. Daniel Eaddy combines his years of experience and advanced training to provide patients with the care they need in a relaxed and comfortable setting. He provides worry-free care at Eaddy Dentistry, and he can be reached for more information through his website.
0 comments