Dental procedures can be a source of stress and discomfort for many people. However, sedation dentistry has made it possible for patients to undergo dental treatments with minimal pain and anxiety. There are three types of sedatives, oral, inhalation (laughing gas), and IV. While sedation is not required for all dental procedures, if your fear of the dentist interferes with your dental health or your pain creates additional stress, sedation might be the best option to help you.
Here are some of the most prevalent dental work that may call for dental sedation:
Routine Oral Care
Some individuals may benefit from being sedated during regular dental care procedures. Those who struggle with severe dental anxiety and fear use it to help them relax and get through the treatment. Others have such a powerful gag reflex that it’s difficult for them even to clean. Sedation aids patients by relaxing their muscles, allowing them to undergo treatment without experiencing considerable discomfort.
Wisdom Teeth Extraction
While wisdom teeth removal is typically a simple operation, complications can arise if a tooth is impacted. Patients who experience extreme pain or are particularly nervous may also benefit from dental sedation. This is especially true for those who are not used to or who do not enjoy the sensation of having a tooth pulled out.
Bone Grafting
Bone grafting is frequently done on people getting dental implants or having teeth extracted to make dentures. An experienced dentist will take bone from one location and place it on a different part of your jaw during the treatment. This strengthens your jaw and makes it much easier for implants or dentures to stay in place. Since it is usually part of a lengthier, more extensive treatment, sedation may be used.
Dental Implants
Dental implants are an excellent treatment choice for patients who are missing teeth. During the operation, a titanium post will be placed into the jawbone, and an artificial tooth will be attached. Sedation can help you feel much more comfy and relaxed while undergoing surgery, even though the treatment itself might not always be painful. Looking for the best dental implants in Hamilton, ON, but worried about the procedure? Discuss sedation options with your dentist.
Jaw Surgery
A number of conditions can necessitate corrective jaw surgical procedures. It’s commonly used to treat the temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ) and realign the jaw to alleviate sleep apnea. In order to keep your jaw open and prevent you from tensing up, sedation is beneficial to people undergoing lengthier, more intrusive dental procedures.
Root Canal
Root canal treatment is a surgery in which infected or damaged tissue from the tooth’s pulp is removed. This procedure is needed to save the tooth and prevent it from worsening. But it can be a long and painful process; sedation can help patients take it easy and feel more at ease.
Multiple Dental Procedures
If you need more than one dental procedure, like dental fillings, extractions, or cleanings, sedation dentistry can make it much easier to get all of them done simultaneously. Sedation can help patients remain calm and comfortable during multiple procedures, reducing the number of visits they need to make.
Conclusion
Dental procedures can cause anxiety and discomfort for some people. Sedation dentistry can help alleviate these problems and make oral treatments more comfortable and less stressful. While sedation isn’t necessary for every oral visit, it can be handy for the oral treatments we discuss above. Talk to your dentist about oral sedation to learn if it’s a good choice.
