Sedation Dentistry

Why do people avoid the dentist?

Have you been avoiding the dentist? Dodging our calls? It’s okay, we forgive you–and rest assured, you’re not the only one! There are plenty of reasons folks avoid the dentist, and we’re here to normalize the reasons it may be hard for you to receive dental care. Maybe you had an unpleasant experience in the past. Maybe you fear dental tools like the drill or hate the sounds they make. Maybe you get woozy at the sight of a needle or blood. Maybe you have a physical disability that makes it hard for you to have dental work done. Whatever the reason, we want you to know that all of your fears and concerns will be addressed and taken seriously, and we’ll do whatever we can to help.

Oral conscious sedation comes in the form of a prescription sedative that your dentist will prescribe before your appointment. The specific medication used will depend on the nature and severity of your anxiety, and your individual needs and preferences. You will take the sedative about an hour before your dental appointment to help you relax.

Sedation is not the same as general anesthesia. General anesthesia is designed to numb your entire body and “knock you out” or put you entirely to sleep, requiring continually assisted breathing. Sedation is designed to put you in a deep, relaxed, waking dreamlike state. You may fall asleep, but will be easily awakened and should be able to respond to the doctor throughout your appointment while breathing easily on your own throughout.

Sedation does produce some amnesiac effects, so the details of your appointment will be fuzzy–and it will be over before you can say “aah.”