Many of our Nevada patients have significant dental anxiety. While some nerves are normal and to be expected, dental anxiety is more serious and prevents you from receiving needed dental care. Fortunately, the dentists at Chin and Pharar Cosmetic Dentistry can help you overcome these anxieties through the use of sedation dentistry.
In sedation dentistry, you will take a mild sedative about an hour or so before your procedure. While you won’t be unconscious during your procedure, you will be in a pleasant, relaxed state. You will be able to get the dental work you need without all the anxiety.
However, if you suffer from significant dental anxiety, you probably have some concerns about sedation dentistry itself, mainly focusing on its safety. Sedation dentistry has a long and successful track record when performed by a properly trained team, and understanding the safeguards involved can help put those concerns to rest.
A Relaxing Visit to the Dentist’s Office
At Chin and Pharar Cosmetic Dentistry, we practice sedation dentistry with the assistance of a licensed dental anesthesiologist, allowing our dentists to focus on your procedure. This keeps the experience of your visit comfortable, while still allowing you to respond to the dentist’s instructions.
We only use safe, proven sedatives for sedation dentistry. There are always some risks involved with surgical procedures, but we take every precaution to ensure that your experience will be a safe one, including continuous monitoring of your vital signs throughout the appointment.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
The first step is to make sure you are a good candidate for sedation dentistry. This generally means you should:
- Be in good overall health
- Not suffer from obstructive sleep apnea
- Not suffer from obesity
- Have no allergies to sedatives or anesthesia
Our dentists will take a complete medical history before you undergo any procedure. It’s crucial that you be completely open and honest during the evaluation about any past medical problems you may have experienced, since certain health conditions and medications can affect how your body responds to sedation.
If you are in good overall health, you don’t have any allergies, and our dentists determine you are a good candidate for sedation dentistry, you can relax in the knowledge that sedation dentistry has an excellent safety record when administered by trained, licensed professionals. Our dentists have decades of experience and understand how to keep you safe throughout your procedure.
If you live in Nevada and you want to learn more about your sedation dentistry options, please contact Chin and Pharar Cosmetic Dentistry today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry Safety
Will I be unconscious during sedation dentistry?
No, with the level of sedation used for most routine procedures, you remain in a relaxed, pleasant state and can still respond to your dentist’s instructions, rather than being fully unconscious.
Why does obstructive sleep apnea affect sedation candidacy?
Sedatives can further relax airway muscles, which is a greater concern for patients whose airway is already prone to collapse during sleep. This is why a full medical history review is an essential step before sedation is recommended.
Who monitors me during a sedation dentistry procedure?
A licensed dental anesthesiologist assists with sedation and monitoring, which allows the treating dentist to focus fully on the procedure while your vital signs are tracked throughout the appointment.
What should I disclose before undergoing sedation dentistry?
Your complete medical history, current medications, and any allergies to sedatives or anesthesia. Certain health conditions and medications can change how your body responds to sedation, so full disclosure is important for your safety.
Is sedation dentistry safe for anxious patients specifically?
Yes, for appropriate candidates. Sedation dentistry was developed in large part to help patients with significant dental anxiety receive care they might otherwise avoid, and it has a strong safety record when used with proper screening and monitoring.