Administered in IV, nitrous oxide gas, and pill form, sedation keeps patients calm and relaxed. They remain conscious during their dental care procedures, which can be anything from a routine teeth cleaning to a restorative or cosmetic dentistry session. If you’re considering sedation dentistry, take a moment to learn about its benefits for your oral health needs.

4 Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

1. Ease or Eliminate Dental Anxieties

If you’re among the many people who deal with dental anxiety, or fear of the dentist, sedation provides the welcome alternative you need. It will keep you relaxed and unafraid throughout the entire procedure. Fear of the dentist’s chair is not a reason to skip professional cleanings and checkups because they provide preventive dental care that identifies tooth decay, gum disease, and other issues before they worsen.

2. Decrease Discomfort & Pain

When you’re in a relaxed or even euphoric state because of sedation, any pain or discomfort you may experience lessens. This is particularly ideal if you have a low pain tolerance or mouth sensitivities that become more severe during dental care. Since sedation dentistry has an amnesiac effect, you won’t remember much of the cleaning or procedure either to dampen any discomfort-related memories.

3. Mitigate Certain Sensitivities

Perhaps you have a serious gag reflex or simply don’t like having a dental professional scraping, buffing, and examining your teeth. Sedation dentistry reduces these sensitivities because you’ll be in a dreamlike state. Your lack of reaction also means you won’t close your mouth or jerk your head, which can potentially cause painful mistakes.

4. Reduce “Chair Time”

Because the hygienist and dentist can work continuously when you opt for sedation dentistry, you’ll reduce the amount of time spent in the chair. The oral health professionals work extra fast when their patients are relaxed, which is especially helpful during long procedures. Additionally, time seems to pass quickly when you use sedation dentistry. 

Sedation is among the many services provided by Carter S. Yokoyama, DDS. Based in Kailua-Kona, HI, this dentist loves to pamper patients in his special dental spa and offers free hand wax treatments for all. Noise-cancelling headphones, music, movies, pillows, and blankets are also available to help you feel more comfortable. Call (808) 322-0101 today to schedule your appointment, or learn more about sedation dentistry online.