If we want to maintain a healthy smile, we have some responsibilities. We need to brush, floss and rinse on a daily basis. But in addition, we need the watchful eye of our dental professional. This is why it is important to visit at least twice a year for a quick examination. But what if you have an actual fear of these visits? How do you not only sit through one visit a year, but two? Don’t worry – you aren’t alone. Of all the health professionals feared most by adults, the dentist is at the top of the list. So much so, Dental Anxiety (DA) is the official diagnosis.
Thankfully, the dental industry has been listening and have been busy making huge strides in order to calm those fears – sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry your dentist’s way to relax you enough to handle the dental procedure via medication. There are various levels that you can be sedated, from minimal sedation to the completely unconscious general anesthesia. What you receive will depend on your fear and the recommendation made by your dentist. A numbing agent will be administered to the area as well to alleviate any pain you may have from the procedure.
Nitrous oxide. If you aren’t in need of a lot to relax you, you will be given nitrous oxide, or laughing gas through a mask.
Oral sedative. Similar to a valium, a pill will be taken about an hour before your procedure so it has time to take effect, but you will be awake during the procedure.
General anesthesia. For the more invasive procedures, a deeper sedation will be administered prior but will render you unconscious and unable to awaken easily, unlike the other lighter versions.
For more information about sedation dentistry, call Dr. Andrey Eng in Yorba Linda, CA at 714-779-2736 or visit www.andreyengdds.com.
Dr. Eng proudly serve patients from Yorba Linda and all surrounding areas.
