Besides helping calm nerves and overcome dental fears, there are other benefits of sedation dentistry. Whether you are worried about a complicated procedure, need multiple procedures done in one visit, or simply want to enjoy a pain-free dental experience, sedation can help!
Benefits for Special Needs Patients
Sedation dentistry is safe and effective for many patients with Sensory Processing Disorders (SPD), Autism Spectrum Disorders, and other disorders that impair the nervous system. It allows these patients to receive preventive care before they develop more serious problems.
Saving Time & Money
When you are sedated, your dentist is able to cover more ground during a single visit. This means that you can often get years worth of work done in a single appointment!
Achieving Amnesia – No Fear Build-Up
Sedation helps patients overcome their fears by creating a period of amnesia during a dental procedure. This ensures that they won’t create new unpleasant memories and will be less anxious in future visits to the dentist.
Saves More Effort
During a sedation appointment, you will be given medication to take orally. Depending on the total dose, this can produce minimal sedation or moderate sedation.
You may also be put under IV sedation, which is similar to anesthesia and involves a needle inserted into a vein. This is a common choice for people who are afraid of needles.
It is very important to follow the dentist’s instructions carefully during a sedation appointment. These include avoiding food and drink 6-8 hours before the procedure, not taking any medications unless previously approved by the doctor, and arranging for someone to drive you home after the treatment.