Sedation Dentistry

Do you have a fear of the dentist? If so, you’re not alone. Many people experience genuine anxiety at the thought of a visit to the dentist, and often it is enough to keep them from getting their regular check-ups and necessary dental care. Unfortunately, avoiding the dentist can lead to serious dental health problems. To combat dental anxiety, many dentists now offer sedation dentistry.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry utilizes sedative drugs to establish a calm and relaxed state of mind prior to dental treatment. There are many different types of sedative drugs that can be administered in a variety of ways based on the unique needs of the patient and the dentist's recommendation. One of the most common types of dental sedative used today is administered orally. With oral sedation dentistry, the patient is given a pill to take before the procedure. IV sedation is another common option. With IV sedation, sedative drugs are administered intravenously while at the dentist's office.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry offers patients many benefits. Primarily, by alleviating dental anxiety, sedation dentistry allows patients to receive the care they need. Patients can arrive at the dentist's office comfortable, relaxed, and ready for treatment. Sedation dentistry also has benefits for patients who need multiple or lengthy procedures. The dentist can typically complete the necessary treatment in a single appointment while the patient is relaxed, and afterwards the patient will have little or no memory of the experience.

Sedation dentistry is extremely safe and can help patients who experience dental anxiety receive the treatment they need to maintain their oral health. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact our Santa Barbara cosmetic dentistry practice today.