One of the top reasons that people avoid going to the dentist, even at the cost of their oral health; is fear. From just a minor fear that makes one nervous about a visit to the dentist to full-blown phobias that are crippling; there is a way to overcome this and Stone Ridge Dental is prepared.
fear of the dentist in not rare
One out of six people suffers from some form of anxiety related to going to the dentist. There’s a reason it’s so prevalent—it’s a serious fear and is very real to those who deal with it. Even if it’s something as simple as a cleaning—it triggers the anxiety. The fear of the unknown is what it usually is. That something else might be wrong and they’ll get bad news. These people often suffer major consequences due to their avoidance of quality dental care. Usually, this fear is deep-rooted and comes with a list of anxiety-related issues:
- High levels of fear
- History of traumatic dental experiences
- Difficulty numbing
- Bad gag reflex
- Sensitive teeth
- Limited time to get the dental care they need
- Complex dental issues
- Phobia of needles and shots
- Fear of noises, tastes, and scents associated with dental clinics
- Afraid and insecure about their smile
When patients come to Stone Ridge Dental, we want them to have the best patient experience, free from anxiety and in a relaxing environment that is conducive to mitigating the effects of dental phobia. That is why we are firm believers in what is known as sedation dentistry.
You can choose Sedation Dentistry through either General Anesthesia or Conscious Sedation which includes IV sedative, laughing gas, or oral sedation. The goal is to put you into a state of deep relaxation so we can effectively perform the procedure. We will guide you through a brief assessment to gauge your level of fear and specific anxieties.
what is the sedation?
Sedation dentistry is an optional service we provide to make our patients feel relaxed, and calm via the use of sedatives such as valium, depressants, anti-anxiety medications, or nitrous oxide. This helps not only the patient relax, but also enables our dental professionals to do their job more effectively as well.
sedation options
Sedatives are normally administered orally vs. intravenous so as not to create more stress with the use of needles and some patients’ fears. While a patient is indeed sedated, they are at a safe level of consciousness that ensures a smooth procedure. Many patients don’t remember their visit as if they were asleep, but in reality, the combination of sedative and then local anesthetic, create a feeling of total relaxation as if nothing happened.
The sedation also aids in administering local anesthetic which is still delivered via injection and can be troublesome for those with a fear of needles. The sedative numbs those fears and then the anesthetic temporarily blocks pain receptors in the affected area so it is a smooth transition.
We offer several types of sedation to appeal to a wide range of needs of each patient. We’re sure that no matter what fears you may have, we have a sedation option that makes you comfortable.
General anesthesia, also known as sleep dentistry, is the deepest sedation level we offer and it’s administered by intravenous methods. First, we mildly sedate patients without the IV and numb the injection area as mentioned.
With this method of sedation, you are not conscious and don’t feel a thing during the procedure. You also won’t have any recollection of it either. It makes for a very carefree, relaxing experience all in a convenient treatment option.
While sleeping, Dr. Monarres can perform all of the procedures you are scheduled for with ease. You’ll awaken with a healthier smile and it makes the procedures more efficient too. This is often recommended for children who are resistant to sit still or cooperate for the duration of their procedure.
Oral conscious sedation is administered by pill that is both convenient and economical. When administered by Dr. Monarres, oral sedation like this proves to be more effective for certain procedures. Procedures that require patient cooperation and don’t have an element of invasive surgery work well with this method.
When you meet with Dr. Monarres for your free consultation, he will look over your medical records to determine if oral sedation is right for you. The time will pass much quicker with this method and you will be done before you even realize it’s begun.
Nitrous Oxide, also known as laughing gas is one of the oldest, safest, and mildest forms of sedation in dentistry. It’s hypoallergenic and does not irritate or cause any loss of consciousness. It will make you very relaxed, maybe a bit drowsy. It also aids in reducing gag reflex and saliva flow.
Administering nitrous uses a small mask the hygienist will put over your nose. Gradually, the nitrous will be released through the mask as you breathe it in. You will begin to feel very relaxed, yet still conscious. Contrary to what you may see in movies, it does not make people laugh uncontrollably.
IV Sedation is an ideal solution for those with dental anxiety but no aversion to needles or shots. It’s an anti-anxiety drug injected directly into your vein via an IV drip. It does not put you in an unconscious state, only deep relaxation and lack of recall of the procedure.
