Sedation Dentistry in Beaverton
Dental Sedation to Reduce Anxiety
Many patients experience some anxiety when visiting a dentist office or when undergoing dental procedures. For some individuals, heading to the dentist can elicit nervousness and apprehension. These feelings of anxiety often lead that person to find any excuse not to follow through on their appointment. Unfortunately, these individuals may completely avoid procedures even when suffering from significant pain or infection. Anxiolysis sedation, a form of oral sedation, can help. It is a light sedative, such as valium, that is ideal for people suffering from mild to moderate anxiety. For additional information on anxiolysis, IV sedation, and dental anxiety, continue reading below.What Are the Symptoms of Dental Anxiety?
Everyone deals with worry and anxiety differently. Symptoms of dental anxiety vary from each person, but there are general indications, including:
- Feeling nauseous when thinking of going to the dentist
- Sleepless nights before a dental appointment
- Crying or nervousness while in the waiting room
Additional symptoms of anxiety include panic or shortened breath when sitting in the chair and increased worry or fear at the sight of oral instruments and dental professionals.
Types of Dental Sedation
- Anxiolysis
As mentioned above, anxiolysis involves a light sedative, and it can transform a terrifying experience into a relaxing one. Therefore, before any treatment at the dentist, you can receive anxiolysis sedation. During the procedure, patients are required to remain conscious, but any tension and anxiety will fade away. The advantage of this form of sedation is that individuals can breathe, talk, and also operate a vehicle after receiving it. Anxiolysis does not impair actions.
- IV Sedation
For anybody with moderate to severe dental anxiety, IV sedation may be ideal. It is a very safe, easy to administer, and effective medication that is quickly delivered straight into the bloodstream. Similar to anxiolysis, IV sedation is administered while the patient is awake. As it seeps into the bloodstream, a heightened state of relaxation is achieved.
The advantage of this form of dental sedation is that your heart rate, breathing, and the amount of medicine received is monitored. Therefore, the dose can be adjusted to ensure comfort and safety.
As a precaution and to assist with any pain, a local anesthetic is applied in advance to the area needing dental work. IV sedation is generally used when a dental procedure is lengthy and requires extensive steps. The benefit to IV sedation is that once it is received, individuals will most likely not recall the process, so their fear will not be heightened.