3 Surprising Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry means less time in the dentist’s chair and better results for your procedure.

If you have dental anxiety, you probably are looking for a sedation dentist in St. Louis. Whether it’s nitrous oxide, oral sedation, or IV sedation, sedation makes it much easier to have dental work done if you are afraid of the dentist or have dental anxiety.

However, even if you don’t have dental anxiety, sedation dentistry has several benefits! In this article, we will discuss three surprising benefits of sedation dentistry.

1. It’s Easier To Sit Still For Longer Procedures

It takes about 90 minutes for the average root canal. If you are having multiple crowns or fillings placed or redone, you may be spending even longer in the chair – 30 to 45 minutes for each one.

And if you are having a lot of cosmetic work, such as bonding, whitening, and other procedures done at the same time, sedation dentistry can also help.

Even if you are a pretty calm person, you may start to get restless after sitting in a dentist’s chair for two hours – with nothing to do but look at your dentist and keep your mouth open.

If you are sedated during your procedure, your level of consciousness will be diminished. In fact, it’s not unheard of for patients to fall asleep, even after smaller doses of sedative drugs. You won’t have to worry about being restless or bored.

2. The Dentist Can Work More Quickly

Dentists can work more quickly and effectively when their patient is sedated. If you are sedated, your dentist will be able to do their work quickly, without worrying about your reaction to the procedure slowing them down. This generally means less time in the dentist’s chair – and better results for your procedure.

3. Relief From Fear of Needles

Sure, fear of the dentist is quite common. However, fear of needles is just as common – and often overlooked. Even if you’re not scared of the dentist, the idea of having your gums or tooth injected with numbing agents may frighten you if you suffer from fear of needles.

Sedation dentistry can help with this. You are much less likely to be nervous and anxious when the dentist injects you with numbing agents, and it’s easier to ignore the sensation – resulting in a stress-free dental experience.

St. Louis Sedation Dentist

Some people think you must have dental anxiety to be sedated during dentistry. This is not the case. You can be sedated during almost any procedure. Simply ask your St. Louis sedation dentist about your options to stay safe, comfortable, and anxiety-free during your next dental procedure.