The phobia of visiting a dentist affects many adults as much as children. You may experience anxiety during cleaning or disabling fear about root canals or cavity fillings. If this dental anxiety makes you avoid visiting your dentist, it is time to combat your apprehension. One way of doing this is through sedation dentistry.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry involves using sedatives to relax you during a dental visit. Options for this treatment include topical numbing medications, stronger sedation while still conscious such as laughy gas, or full sedation that puts you in a deep sleep. Whatever approach your dentist chooses to use on you depends on several factors. They include your anxiety level, medical history, and allergies to any form of medication.

Sedation Options

Here are three common types of sedation dentistry that most dentists use to combat dental anxiety.

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation involves ingesting a prescribed pill before your dentist’s appointment. It is a popular sedation method that helps calm dental anxiety. The most common medication in this category is those with active benzodiazepine substances. Some of these include Xanax (alprazolam) and valium (diazepam). Oral sedation is ideal for people who prefer to remain awake or fully conscious during dental procedures.

Sedatives in small doses control dental anxiety and relax you physically and mentally. You may feel pleasantly distant and indifferent after swallowing the pill. Once the drug wears, you may have little or no memory of the procedure. Such a feeling is ideal for most people with dental anxiety.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

Nitrous oxide is a clear, odorless gas that relaxes you during a dental procedure. Doctors sometimes refer to it as laughing gas. This is due to the euphoric effect it has in small doses. However, it does not make you giggle shamelessly while in your dentist’s chair. The dentist administers a precise dosage to put you into deep relaxation while helping you stay positive.

Aside from relaxing you, nitrous oxide has an anesthetic effect and helps you dispel fear. Most dentists prefer this method because of its safety, efficacy, and tolerability. It is also ideal for most people and is harmless to children of all ages. Nitrous oxide keeps you conscious during your dental procedure without reducing the effects. It works best for people who sometimes panic in the middle of treatment. 

Intravenous (IV) Sedation

IV sedation is the strongest and fastest-acting sedative your dentist can administer intravenously. In some cases, they may choose to combine it with a pain reliever. It provides a deeper form of sedation than either nitrous oxide or oral sedatives. Some patients may describe the experience as being asleep and in a dream state.

Most people may not recall their procedure once they awake from IV sedation. While under it, all your bodily functions still operate well. For instance, you breathe independently, cough, and even swallow when fluids collect in your mouth. Your dentist may recommend this form of sedation if your gag reflex is overly sensitive.

Other ways of combating dental anxiety include breathing exercises, hypnotherapy, analgesia, distractions, meditation, or bringing a friend.

For more about combating dental anxiety with sedation options, contact Riverview Dental at our office in Corunna, Michigan. Call (989) 743-4851 to book an appointment today.