Are you one of the many people who avoid the dentist because you don’t like how it feels to lose control? Dental sedation does not induce unconsciousness, but instead helps you have a calmer, more relaxed experience.
For many patients, sedation is a welcome option that can help you put your dental anxiety on hold. Unfortunately, some people may fear dental sedation as much as the dental work. If you don’t like the idea of taking sedating medicines because you fear losing control of yourself (perhaps doing or saying silly things), then here’s your chance to learn more about dental sedation. The truth is that oral sedation may have only a mild effect on you; you’ll still be in control of yourself the whole time.
Do you know someone who needs an extra push to get themselves the oral care they need? Call Fresno Dental Studio and talk to Dr. Alex or Claudia Denes. We’ve been providing highly effective sedation dentistry for years and can help you or your loved one get the care he or she needs. Call our Fresno, CA dental practice at 559-297-1294 to set up an appointment.
Softening Up the Hard Cases
In our years in dentistry, we’ve seen a lot of hard cases: tough guys (and gals) who suffer through years of painful dental conditions because they don’t want to admit they are in pain. A lot of times, these same people are not open to the idea of dental sedation, since they don’t like the idea of losing control of themselves.
In cases like this, we encourage our patients to learn more about the different sedating medications we can offer and help them understand the differences. Some medications are much milder than a patient may expect, and learning this can make a big difference.
Some patients mistakenly believe they will be “put under” during dental sedation as they may have heard the term “sleep dentistry” in conjunction with sedation dentistry. While it’s true that some patients choose IV sedation or general anesthesia, which induce unconsciousness, this is usually reserved for patients who require oral surgery or long, complex procedures. For routine dental care and restorations, most patients do very well with oral sedation.
Oral conscious sedation is induced with benzodiazepine medications that have a gentle relaxing effect on the central nervous system. The patient may feel sleepy, but can easily stay awake if that is preferred. One dose is prescribed for use the night before the appointment, (to help patients get a good night’s sleep), and one dose is taken immediately before the appointment.
Once the medication has taken effect, the appointment will not begin until the patient is comfortable going forward. Sometimes this piece of information makes all the difference in making a hard case more open to treatment!
Why Routine Dental Care is So Important
In the past, it was a given that most people would lose teeth as they got older. Today, however, we understand how gum disease and neglect are the causes of tooth loss. We have the opportunity to provide treatments that can minimize the damage that leads to patients losing their teeth. Getting routine oral care can help you hold on to your teeth for life.
No one wants to lose their teeth, but ignoring dental problems is the quickest way to make it happen. If you or someone you care about has been neglecting their teeth and gums due to dental anxiety or avoidance, call Fresno Dental Studio. We’ve been working with anxious patients for years and know how to form a trusting relationship with a patient before we move on to an exam. Call our Fresno, CA dental practice at 559-297-1294 to speak with our staff or set up an appointment.