Sedation Dentistry Allows You To Be At Ease During Treatment
Dr. Michael McCartney has been practicing sedation dentistry for 24 years. He offers this service at our Adel, GA, office so you can relax while you undergo procedures that are critical to your ongoing oral and overall physical health. It is estimated that 50 million people have dental fears, anxieties, and phobias about going to the dentist. This can prevent them from getting routine care and lead to more complex problems that require more extensive work. With sedation dentistry, we can ensure patients receive critical dental work while helping them remain relaxed and comfortable.
Nitrous Oxide
Oral Sedation
IV Sedation
What Types of Sedation are Available?
Oral Sedation
Often referred to as oral conscious sedation, oral sedatives require a prescription that you will fill at your pharmacy. Oral sedatives can provide minimal to moderate sedation, depending on the particular procedure and your individual needs. Under minimal sedation, you are aware of your surroundings and the procedure, but you are calm and relaxed. With moderate sedation, you are conscious and can respond to questions, but you will likely experience an amnesic effect. This means you will remember little, if any, of the procedure when the sedative wears off. Dr. McCartney may instruct you to take your sedative the night before your procedure if your anxiety is severe, or a half hour to an hour before the procedure. He will also ask you to refrain from smoking, caffeine, chocolate, and sugar (essentially, anything that excites the nervous system) to help you have a good experience. If you receive sedation dentistry, you will need an adult to drive you to and from your appointment.
Dental fears, anxieties, and phobias often prevent patients from getting routine dental work.
IV Sedation
Intravenous (IV) sedation is administered in our office. This form of sedation provides moderate sedation, similar to that of oral sedation. It is a good option for patients who have allergies to certain medications or who cannot take pills. IV sedation can also have an amnesic effect, and requires another adult to drive you home from your appointment.
Procedures that Most Commonly Require Sedation
The specific procedures that require sedation will depend on the type of treatment and your level of dental fears and anxieties. Routine procedures such as cleanings, fillings, and the like generally do not necessitate sedation. If you have severe anxiety, however, Dr. McCartney may suggest sedation so you can relax during treatment.
More extensive procedures such as dental implant surgery and gum grafting typically require some degree of sedation regardless of your anxiety levels. Dr. McCartney can adjust the level of sedation to meet your individual needs. It is important to note that neither oral sedation nor IV sedation relieve pain, so an anesthetic is necessary to prevent pain during the procedure.
Why Patients Put Off Dental Treatment
Dental anxieties and fears can cause patients to avoid going to the dentist at all costs. This means skipping regular checkups and cleanings, as well as failing to make appointments when more serious problems arise. For some patients, the fears stem from a previous bad experience at the dentist. Others are sensitive to the sounds, sights, and smells associated with a dentist office. Regardless of the cause, dental fears can cause a patient to ignore serious dental problems, which can lead to severe gum disease, tooth loss, and other complications.
Schedule an Appointment with Us Today
At Adel Dental Associates, we are committed to making your office visit a calm, relaxing experience. If you struggle with dental fears, contact our office to speak with Dr. McCartney about how we can ensure your dental visit is comfortable and worry-free.
