Benefits Of Sedation Dentistry

Posted on: 27 January 2015

Sedation dentistry refers to the practice of using medications to relax a patient while the dentist carries out a planned dental procedure. Using sedatives can be beneficial in a number of ways, including reducing patient anxiety and stress, making it easier for the dentist to quickly get the work done and allowing even invasive procedures to be less unpleasant than they would otherwise be.

Below are just some of the many benefits you will enjoy should your dentist choose to use sedation during your dental procedure:

Greater Relaxation

Many dental patients suffer from dental anxiety and even dental phobia, which often results in them being very reluctant to visit a dentist at all. They will postpone appointments and treatment because of their concerns. By using sedation, your dentist can transform your dental procedure into a much more relaxing, stress free experience.

Movement Is Controlled

In cases where a patient has a medical condition which makes movement control difficult, dentists find it useful to sedate the patient to minimize these movements. This is because unexpected or uncontrolled movements on the part of the patient can make it difficult or even impossible for a dentist to carry out a procedure. In some instances, the condition may be so serious that sedation that leaves the patient conscious might be insufficient. In this case, deep sedation or general anesthesia may be necessary.

No Clear Memory of the Procedure

One of the beneficial side effects of conscious dental sedation is that some patients will experience limited amnesia. This means that if you have sedation during your dental procedure, it may be that when the procedure is completed you will have no (or very little) memory of the procedure. Even if you do, it may seem as though the procedure only took a few minutes, rather than hours.

When a dentist is performing highly invasive dental procedures (such as multiple extractions or gum surgery) the memory of this can be quite traumatic. Knowing that they will have no memory of what took place thanks to sedation makes many patients much more comfortable with the procedure.

Time Is Saved

Thanks to sedation, a dentist is able to work on a patient for a longer time. For many lengthy procedures, this often means that the dentist has to split it up into two or more appointments. But sedation allows you to experience less discomfort and exhaustion. This means that you will have to make fewer visits to your dentist to get a problem dealt with.

To learn more, contact a company like Legacy Dental Arts with any questions you have.

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