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To determine if you can benefit from sedation dentistry, talk to your dentist about why you want to try it and what kind of sedation would be best for you.

Dental health is known to impact your overall health, which is why it’s so important to keep good oral hygiene and be seen regularly by a dentist. According to statistics in the US, more than one in five adults reported that they hadn’t visited the dentist in the past few years.

This number shows that not all people have access to dental health, whether it’s because of the costs involved or other reasons. One of the most surprisingly impactful factors that leads to a low frequency of dentist visits is the anxiety many people feel when receiving dental treatment.

According to a study published by the National Center for Biotechnology Information, as many as 16% of adults have dental phobia. This makes many people skip their regular doctor’s appointments and only go when dealing with a dental emergency.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

In sedation dentistry, the doctors administer medication that controls the patient’s anxiety, helping them remain calm and go through the procedure without discomfort. Sedation is not the same thing as pain control, although some forms of sedation (like general anesthesia) will impact the pain receptors.

Sedation in dentistry comes in different forms, and its strength varies with the patient’s needs. From nitrous oxide (laughing gas) to IV sedation and general anesthesia, sedation is used to keep the patient calm and still while the doctors do the intervention.

How Does Sedation Change Dental Work for the Patient?

For people suffering from anxiety related to their dental treatment, having to go to the dentist triggers an intense response, sometimes even preventing them from getting the treatment they need.

In some cases, it’s more than just anxiety suffered by an otherwise healthy adult. Small children who need dental interventions wouldn’t stay still and cannot control their emotional response to a dental office environment, no matter how friendly it is.

Other patients suffer from physical or mental disabilities that won’t allow them to stay still for long periods or regulate their emotional responses. For these patients, sedation dentistry is the only way to get dental treatment and prevent further complications.

Are You Eligible for Sedation Dentistry?

To determine if you can benefit from sedation dentistry, talk to your dentist about why you want to try it and what kind of sedation would be best for you.

The dentist’s approach is to use the least amount of sedatives needed to achieve the desired effect. After a thorough discussion about your medical history and the type of sedation you need, you will choose the fittest sedation for you. This will allow you to get your dental problems fixed, and finally, rest assured that your oral health is being taken care of.

Sedation dentistry is common for patients who are getting extensive treatments, meaning surgeries or other complex procedures, which lie outside of the realm of basic checkups and cleanings.

When you go to the dentist for your routine dental cleaning, the last thing you expect to hear is that you need extensive dental treatment. Several factors contribute to the need for major dental work. As you age, other health factors may be harming your oral health. Whatever the reason, you may feel anxious about having major work done to your mouth, and that is understandable.

Here at The Dental Anesthesia Center in St. Louis, we’ve been working in the sedation dentistry field for over 25 years. For patients who require extensive treatment plans in St. Louis, sedation dentistry may be a great option.

What Are Some Extensive Treatments or Procedures?

Many dental treatments can be classified as extensive or major. Generally, major dental procedures refer to more extensive services; some of these include:

• Tooth extractions
• Wisdom tooth removal
• Crowns
• Bridges
• Gum disease treatment
• Dental implants
• Dentures
• Treatment for TMJ
• Invisalign

Sedation for Extensive Dental Work

Many people avoid or delay going to the dentist because they have dental anxiety. They may fear needles, drills, or the dental setting in general. However, sedation can be a wonderful tool for patients who fear going to the dentist. For invasive treatments, we highly recommend sedation of some sort. These treatments or procedures often take a long time and typically require the patient to be as still as possible throughout the process.

Sedation and sleep dentistry are becoming more common as patients who suffer from extreme anxiety or other disabilities seek proper dental treatment. It is even more common for patients who are getting extensive treatments, meaning surgeries or other complex procedures, which lie outside of the realm of basic checkups and cleanings.

The Dental Anesthesia Center in St. Louis

We can make your dental experience comfortable! When you come in for your appointment Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Thoms, or Dr. Daugherty will decide which level is best for you. We look forward to meeting you.