Dental sedation is commonly used by individuals who experience mild to severe anxiety when it comes to visiting the dentist’s office or undergoing a dental procedure. Dentists use many different methods, some of which can include nitrous oxide as well as oral conscious and IV sedation. While many patients have no problems being cleared for this type of additional help, others may find they do not make good candidates, but why? Keep reading to discover which issues can disqualify you from receiving dental sedation and what your dentist can do to help.
Sedation Candidates: Good and Not So Good
When meeting with your dentist to discuss your eligibility for dental sedation, you can expect them to discuss your reasons for this type of treatment as well as evaluate your oral and overall health.
Administering any type of sedation requires knowing whether the method of medication will positively or negatively interact with existing medications or health conditions, so it’s essential that a thorough discussion occurs before moving forward with treatment.
To be a good candidate for sedation, you must exhibit dental anxiety, have a gag reflex, experience difficulty sitting still, require multiple dental treatments during an appointment, or have difficulty with other forms of anesthesia.
However, while many patients are easily cleared for sedation, others are not. Your dentist may suggest avoiding this kind of care if you:
- Show no signs of being fearful of the dentist’s office
- Pregnant
- Are taking medications that may cause an allergic reaction to the medicines used in oral conscious and IV sedation
- Experience sinus congestion, as sedation may be less effective
- Have a respiratory illness, as sedation can cause your breathing to slow down
- You are living with sleep apnea
- Consume alcohol before meeting with your dentist
How to Move Forward
If you are not cleared for one type of sedation, you may be eligible for another form, so it’s important not to rule out all your options at once. However, if sedation dentistry is simply not possible in any form, other techniques can help you relax when visiting the dentist’s office:
- Breathing techniques
- Bringing headphones as a form of distraction
- Bring a friend with you to your appointment
- Ask plenty of questions beforehand so that your dentist can help ease your concerns
Most procedures (i.e., dental filling, dental crown placement, root canals, etc.) will require you to receive local anesthesia, so you won’t need to worry about feeling any pain throughout your treatment. Don’t be afraid, though, to talk to your dentist about alternative solutions you can try to minimize anxiety and keep your visit successful and calm.
About Grand Dental – Naperville
Do you have dental anxiety but don’t know if you’re a good candidate for sedation? Grand Dental – Naperville’s dentists are here to go over the details that are required to receive nitrous oxide or oral conscious or IV sedation. If we find that you’re not eligible to receive this type of treatment, we’ll recommend alternative ways to remain at ease throughout your appointment. Visit our website or call us at (630) 576-9970 to learn how we can help.