You’re probably used to thinking of sedation dentistry as a solution for patients who suffer from strong feelings of anxiety whenever they visit the dentist. But while it can certainly be effective for getting dental fears under control, it also has plenty of other potential uses! Below is a closer look at just some of the situations that sedation dentistry can help with.
Long or Complex Treatments
Even without anxiety, some patients simply have a hard time sitting still in the dental chair for prolonged periods. This can make it more difficult to undergo particularly lengthy or complex treatments. But with sedation dentistry, you can enter an advanced state of relaxation, thus making it easier to sit still for as long as you need to.
Strong Gag Reflex
Do you have a tendency to gag easily? This can potentially be a serious obstacle to having a variety of dental procedures performed. However, sedation dentistry can reduce or even stop your gag reflex by helping your body relax, in turn allowing you to get the care that you need to maintain the health of your smile.
TMJ Disorder
The temporomandibular joint, or TMJ for short, is the joint that allows you to open and close your jaw. But if you have a TMJ disorder, keeping your mouth open for long periods of time can be very painful, which tends to make dental visits less than pleasant. Fortunately, sedation dentistry can often be used to ease TMJ-related pain in order to help you have a more positive experience.
Discomfort
It goes without saying that your dentist will do all they can to keep your discomfort under control while you’re in the dental chair. While this is generally done by applying a local anesthetic, sedation dentistry can potentially help as well. Simply put, sedation dentistry can reduce overall discomfort by letting you relax.
Are You a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
As demonstrated above, sedation dentistry can be a great option in all kinds of situations. That said, it will be necessary to confirm whether sedation is truly a viable option in your case. It’s generally safe for the majority of patients, but it isn’t recommended for those who are pregnant or are using certain medications.
If you’re interested in having sedation dentistry performed at your next appointment, talk to your dentist. Once they have reviewed your overall health and learned more about your situation, they can help you determine whether sedation is right for you!
About the Author
Dr. Moji Chandy earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from the NYU College of Dentistry, and she has been practicing in the Dallas-Fort Worth area since 2007. At her Carrollton practice, Aegis Dental, she helps her patients stay relaxed in the dental chair with nitrous oxide sedation. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Chandy, visit her website or call (972) 492-6700.