So what exactly is sedation dentistry? The term describes the process of putting a dental patient under what can be described as a “conscious sleep.” While the patient is not actually sleeping, he/she is in a state where they are unable to distinguish their surroundings or what is going on. Sedation can make long procedures seem incredibly short, and can stop the buildup of anxiety as one sees the dentist preparing his or her instruments.

Sleep dentistry practices can induce this sleepy state through various means. Patients can be administered anti-anxiety medication orally or intravenously. Since many patients fear needles, most offices go the oral route, giving patients Nitrous Oxide (also known as laughing gas). The patient inhales this gas through a mask, after which he or she is placed in a relaxed state. Other dentists prefer to administer pills to the patient to take hours before the procedure.

Once the patient has been sedated, the cosmetic dentist can begin working on his or her teeth. One of the major perks of sedation dentistry is that years worth of dental work can be completed in one or two sessions. With the patient sedated, there is no concern that this major work will cause any sort of pain.

You might be regretting not having learned about this type of dentistry sooner. Sedation dentistry has allowed millions of people to regain their oral health without having to overcome their dental phobia (which in many instances is brought about by several, or one significant, mediocre experience in the dental chair).

If you constantly dread going to the dentist for fear that pain awaits, sleep dentistry is the clear choice. We don’t think you should hate going to the dentist all you life – it is indeed in your best interest. By making an appointment at a sedation practice, you will likely start enjoying visits to the dentist.

We ask that you ignore your financial limitations when it comes to searching for a dentist that is trained in sedation. Dentists are fully aware that many patients outright hate going to the dentist, and have thus tried to make sleep dentistry affordable. Financing is available for these types of procedures and subsequently every effort should be taken to better align the procedure with your financial restraints.

We hope we’ve given you the confidence to schedule an appointment with a local practitioner to get your smile assessed. The powerful sedation methods offered at many practices will help you enjoy taking care of your teeth once again. Call and make an appointment today!