Sedation Dentistry: How to deal with Dental Anxiety – Katy, TX

Being nervous during dental procedures is not uncommon, people who suffer from dental fears can develop anxiety or even dental phobia. These conditions can stem from several factors like past dental experience, fear of dental equipment, injections, pain, and discomfort. Dental phobia and anxiety can get in the way of getting the necessary treatments and procedures that can help in easing the pain and cure progressing oral diseases. Chloe Dental provides comfort and relaxation to patients to minimize or even avoid their dental distresses with the use of Sedation Dentistry.

Sedation Dentistry

It is the procedure of making a patient feel comfortable and relax during any dental procedures with the use of a sedative or medication that can be administered topically, orally, inhalation, and in injection. Depending on the patient’s need, Sedation can help in calming their nerves throughout the procedure without triggering their phobia or anxiety.

Different levels of Sedation

• Minimal Sedation. It allows the patient to feel relaxed while wide awake.
• Moderate Sedation. The patient is awake but cannot speak clearly, and they might not remember the entire procedure.
• Deep Sedation. It allows the patient to be on the edge of consciousness but is still easily awakened.
• General Anesthesia. The patient is unconscious throughout the procedure.

Sedation Dentistry Offered At Chloe Dental

Oral Sedation

As its name implies, this type of sedation is taken orally before the scheduled dental procedure to make sure that it will take effect during the treatment to secure the comfort and relaxation of the patient. It can help ease nervousness since the medication provided does not require any injections. The patient will be left on the edge of consciousness during the procedure so they might not remember the treatment.

Local Anesthesia

The dentist can also use this type of Sedation which numbs a specific area of the mouth that needs treatment. Lidocaine is the most common type of anesthesia used in numbing the gums or the cheek of the patient. By using local anesthesia, it allows the patient to be fully awake and aware of the whole procedure as it progresses. Some people develop anxiety or phobia since they do not know what occurs during the process that is why local anesthesia is useful since they will know everything that happens during the treatment without any worries.

Laughing Gas

It is a type of Sedation administered by inhalation, Nitrous Oxide or “Laughing Gas” is mixed with oxygen and administered through a mask attached to the patient’s nose. The dentist makes sure that the patient is entirely comfortable and relaxed while the gas is being inhaled, additional gas can be added to make sure that it lasts throughout the procedure. The effects quickly wear off once the mask is removed.

Dentistry has developed several options to cater to the needs of every patient, even to people with dental anxiety and phobia. To make sure that you get this treatment, inform your dentist about your worries so the dentist can evaluate what type of Sedation is best suited for you.

Looking for a safe and pain-free procedure? Book an appointment with us! Chloe Dental has caring and dedicated staff to help you feel pleasant during your dental treatments with Sedation Dentistry in Katy, TX.