At Rice Dentures, we understand that not everyone will be thrilled about the prospect of coming in for their appointment. Sure, we are proud of the services we offer, and we are confident that you’ll love the finished product, but the experience of having dental services performed might not be something you enjoy.
That’s why we are so proud to offer sedation dentistry as a viable solution for those who are stressed about an upcoming visit. This technique allows us to safely put people at ease while the necessary services are performed to improve their overall oral health.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
As the name suggests, sedation dentistry involves using sedation techniques during a dental procedure to help relax the patient and allow them to get the care they need with minimal anxiety. This technique does not involve putting the patient to sleep, but rather it brings the patient to a middle ground where they are still awake but not stressed and nervous about the work that is being done. Once the appointment is finished, the patient can gently be brought out of sedation and will return to feeling like themselves shortly.
Advantage #1 – Reduce Pain
Perhaps the biggest reason that people worry about going to the dentist is due to the pain they might experience during the appointment. Dentists work hard to minimize pain while providing care, but some discomfort is inevitable with certain procedures. Through the use of sedation dentistry, that pain can be muted or avoided altogether, making for a more comfortable experience from start to finish.
Advantage #2 – Cut Down on Pre-Appointment Worries
It’s often the case that the lead-up to a dental appointment is far worse than the appointment itself. Convinced that a specific treatment or service is going to be painful, patients will sometimes worry for days or weeks about what is coming up, significantly taking away from their quality of life along the way. All of this time spent worrying can be saved when sedation dentistry is planned for the appointment, as the individual will know that they are going to be sedated and will be kept comfortable while the work is performed.
Advantage #3 – Avoid the Gag Reflex
While much of the attention with sedation dentistry comes back to limiting pain and making patients more comfortable, that’s not the only motivation. Sometimes, it’s about bypassing a strong gag reflex that an individual might possess. If a patient is prone to gagging during dental work, it can be difficult or impossible to complete certain types of services without sedation. Proper sedation can take away that reflex for the period of time that the work is being done, allowing the dentist to work uninterrupted and achieve great results for the patient.
What Are You Waiting For?
Everyone deserves great oral health. If you struggle with anxiousness and nerves when visiting the dentist, sedation dentistry might be a great way to get over those fears and get the care you need to keep your mouth looking and feeling great for years to come. To get started, simply contact us or call our office at (256) 380-4002. We look forward to serving you!
