Visiting the dentist is important for maintaining your oral hygiene and correcting potentially harmful issues in your teeth and gums. Despite it’s significance to oral health, however, many people still experience anxiety when visiting the dentist and often forego important dental work because of it. Fortunately, the majority of dentists understand this, and as a result, they have developed various forms of sedation to help patients feel calm and at ease before general and cosmetic dentistry procedures.

If you are someone with a fear of the dentist and are curious about the sedation options available to you, continue reading below for a full list:

• Oral Sedation: For patients who are particularly anxious before routine procedures such as crowns or fillings, a dentist may offer oral sedation. In this form of sedation, patients are given an oral medication such as Valium, which allows them to relax or fall asleep. The strength of the dose may vary based on the dentist and the extent of the dental work; however, mild to moderate grogginess is usually the only side-effect.
• Inhaled Sedation: If you will be driving yourself home after your visit, your dental care professional may offer nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is inhaled through a mask placed over the nose to allow patients to relax for a short period of time. The gas wears off quickly and is safe to use in children as well.
• Moderate IV Sedation: For longer procedures, you may be given IV sedation. This type of sedative is fast-acting and allows your dentist to monitor your dose over time. Because the sedative is placed directly into your IV, you may be groggy for some time and will need someone to assist you on the way home.
• General Anesthesia: During extensive dental work such as dental implants or tooth extractions, you may be given general anesthesia. In addition to effectively eliminating any pain associated with the procedure, this form of sedation will render you completely unconscious.

If you are in need of dental work in the Aiea, HI, area, contact Aloha Dental Laboratory. To learn more about their services, visit them online or call (808) 947-2877 to schedule an appointment today.