Sedation Dentistry

Going to the dentist is tougher for some people. Both children and adults can have a high level of anxiety, especially if they are autistic, have special needs, or have another chronic health problem like Alzheimer's. There are reasons why some people should consider sedation dentistry including those who:

• Had a bad experience
• Are afraid of needles or dental tools.
• Have a bad gag reflex.
• Have a complicated dental case requiring extreme procedures.
• Feel their teeth are too far gone for traditional treatment.
• Evaluating and working with jaw growth that can affect facial symmetry.

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Sedation therapy isn't always used at the dental office. It's reserved for those who need it to get through the dental procedure. The type of sedation used depends on many factors like your age, health condition, and type of anxiety.

The dental staff will first ask you about your anxiety level and the type of sedation you would prefer. They will also ask you about all your health conditions, present and past, to ensure sedation is safe for you.

Be sure to ask your dentist about this option when you go for your first visit. The staff will be happy to go over your options.

Sedation therapy won't eliminate the need for local anesthesia. The local anesthesia, administered by a needle, will numb the area where the dentist will be working. This ensures you feel no pain.

Hygienists and dentists will use a topical numbing medicine before injection of the local anesthesia into the gum. The topical anesthetic ensures you don't feel the needle injection.

Some patients don't have anxiety about dentists but, for some reason, all the local numbing medication doesn't work well. Sedation is a solution in that case because it allows you to be comfortable while the dentist continues the procedure.