Anxiety-Free Dentistry

sedation dentistry

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is a process where the dentist uses medication or drugs to relax the patient before or during a lengthy dental procedure. Dentists also call sedation dentistry sleep dentistry. In most cases, the patient is awake after he is given the sedation dentistry drug. Complete sleep happens only when the patient is given anesthesia intravenously.

Each state has a set of laws, rules, and guidelines for dentists to comply with when providing sedation dentistry drugs and anesthesia to a person. The dentist must have sufficient qualifications and extensive sedation dentistry experience to carry out such procedures.

Where Does Dental Anxiety Come From?

Even though we’re dental professionals ourselves, we can understand why the idea of regular dental appointments (let alone more intense treatments) can be unpleasant for a lot of people. It’s not very fun to lie flat on your back while strangers poke around at your teeth and gums, and maybe it’s easier to hope there are no cavities instead of letting a dentist check and risk getting bad news. A lot of people feel this way, but for the sake of having healthy smiles, it’s important not to succumb to it.

Other people might have a specific bad memory that they associate the dentist with. Maybe they had a negative experience that gave them a terrible impression of dentists in general, or maybe older family members told them about their bad experiences and passed on their dental anxiety that way. At our practice, patient comfort is one of our highest priorities, and we would love to help any patients overcome anxiety based on previous experiences.

Strategies for Fighting Dental Anxiety

Here are a few things we recommend trying to help with feelings of dental anxiety:

  • Don’t wait until a scheduled appointment to visit the dental office. Come in ahead of time to meet the team and get familiar with the space.
  • Maybe even bring a friend or family member along so you can feel as in control as possible.
  • Learn about what goes into a typical dental appointment. Ask questions and get an idea of how the process will go so that you won’t have to worry about any surprises.
  • Discuss your anxiety and what you think the cause might be with the dentist. When dentists are aware of a patient’s dental anxiety struggles, they are much better able to help.
  • Bring a relaxing distraction like your favorite music or podcast to listen to during the appointment.
  • Remember that modern dentistry is full of conveniences and comforts that didn’t exist for our parents and grandparents! We get a pretty great deal in the 21st century. This is where oral conscious sedation can help.

Why We Would Recommend Sedation During Your Appointment?

We know that going to the dentist can be extremely frightening for some individuals. This is called dental phobia, and millions of Americans struggle with it. We use sedation dentistry to help our patients feel anxiety-free and relaxed during their treatment. If you suffer from dental phobia, after reviewing your medical history Dr. Heninger may recommend one of several types of sedation.

Types of Sedation Dentistry at Heninger Dental

Nitrous oxide is commonly called laughing gas. There are several reasons to use nitrous oxide rather than complete sedation. This has been the primary way that doctors have helped patients to manage their anxiety. The gas is distributed through a face mask, which allows you to inhale the gas through your nose. As the anesthetic begins to work, you’ll feel a bit groggy and de-sensitized. Patients who choose to use nitrous can resume normal daily activities by the time the treatment is finished.

Oral Sedation does not require the use of needles, which many patients are anxious about. There are a variety of different medications that we provide here at Heninger Dental. It will be up to your medical history and the recommendation of Dr. Heninger to decide which one will be your best choice. Oral sedation requires that you have a ride home from your appointment. You’ll want to have a trustworthy family member or friends take you home.

IV Sedation is a stronger form of sedation. If Dr. Heninger recommends this type of sedation, he would administer a liquid sedative through an IV directly into the patient’s bloodstream. Much like oral sedation, IV sedation requires that you have a ride home from your appointment.

Sedation Dentistry in Orem, UT

No matter what your dental experience has been in the past we are confident that your experience here at Heninger Dental will be a comfortable and anxiety-free one.

If you suffer from dental anxiety, please give us a call at (801) 600 6907 or email us. We’re confident that we have a solution that will relieve you of dental anxiety and help your experience here at Heninger Dental be pleasant. You can learn more about us by checking our business page, and make sure to get directions before heading our way.