Many people suffer from dental anxiety and fear. A mere thought of visiting the dentist's office is enough to send chills up their spine. As a result, they learn to live with their oral health issues and develop an enduring mechanism against toothache and other poor-oral- health symptoms. This proves dangerous not only for their oral health but also their overall health. If you are one of these people and suffer from severe dental anxiety and pain, sedation dentistry is your savior.

Sedation dentistry employs the use of medication to relieve patients of their anxiety and fear. Sedation helps in relaxing the patient and can be used for performing minor to major dental procedures. There are four levels of sedation:

• Minimal sedation
• Moderate sedation
• Deep sedation
• General anesthesia
• Depending on the type of dental procedure being performed, your dentist will determine the right level of sedation for you.

Who is an ideal candidate for sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry generally focuses on people with dental anxiety and fear but it is used in the following scenarios as well.

• Patients who have a lower threshold for pain can get sedatives to feel comfortable during dental procedures.
• Patients who are suffering from restlessness and find it difficult to stay still in the dentist's chair.
• Patients who have sensitive teeth and gums.
• Patients suffering from gag reflex.
• Sedation dentistry is also employed when surgical and complicated procedures need to be performed.

What are the different types of sedatives used in dentistry?

The following types of sedation are used in dentistry:

1. Inhaled sedation

The patient is asked to breathe in nitrous oxide or laughing gas through a nasal mask. It keeps the patient relaxed and calm while receiving the treatment.

2. Oral sedation

Oral sedatives are used for mild to moderate sedation. You may take oral sedation in the form of a pill or capsule. Oral sedatives make the patient drowsy during the procedure to relieve them of their dental anxiety.

3. IV moderate sedation

Patients receive IV moderate sedation through a vein present on the arm. It immediately sedates the patient and is the most commonly used in sedation dentistry.

4. Deep sedation

Deep sedation is given to the patients through general anesthesia. It causes the patients to become unconscious and send them into a deep sleep for the duration of the procedure. Despite the type of sedation you receive, you will always be given a local anesthetic to ward off pain and discomfort.

At Glenn Dental we employ the practices of modern dentistry to systematically repair damage and enhance the appearance of your smile. Dr. Glenn Ong-Veloso and Dr. Joy Helou will design a custom plan for you to meet your individual requirements. We welcome you to contact us at 760-284-3060 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Glenn Ong-Veloso and Dr. Joy Helou to achieve a picture-perfect smile in Apple Valley and California City, California.