When it comes to keeping a healthy mouth and enhancing the appearance of your smile, modern dentistry offers a full range of services in general, restorative and cosmetic dentistry. However, these dental treatments require a trip to the dentist – an action step that six out of 10 adults avoid due to fear or anxiety. In fact, according to study results from Hello Products, dentists were feared almost seven times as much as neurologists, and more than twice as much as surgeons! What these patients may not know, however, is that sedation dentistry is a simple, effective and safe solution for this type of fear.
Just like many other treatments and procedures in dentistry, there are several misconceptions surrounding sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry, also called sleep dentistry, is widely used among modern dentists as a way to help patients relax in the dental chair and receive the dental care they need and deserve.
Whether you have a strong fear of dental needles or your anxiety about the dentist began from a poor experience in childhood, it is important to explore your options in sedation dentistry so that your oral health and body health don’t suffer. Getting sedation dentistry is as simple as wearing a small mask during your procedure and breathing in a colorless gas of Nitrous Oxide, also known as “laughing gas”.
Here are some of the most common myths about sedation dentistry using Nitrous Oxide:
Sedation Dentistry Puts You to Sleep
While sedation from a surgeon may indicate general anesthesia, sedation dentistry doesn’t work the same way. Instead, you remain completely conscious and even able to communicate with your dentist during treatment. Nitrous oxide is a minimal level of sedation that puts patients into deep relaxation so they are not bothered by the dental work performed.
Every Patient Receives the Same Dosage
Sedation dentistry is never a one-size-fits-all approach. Instead, nitrous oxide can be titrated to meet the patient’s exact needs based on health, age, weight, medical history and desired level of comfort. This safe and easily customizable option makes nitrous oxide effective for kids as well as adults
You’ll Have to Arrange Transportation and Take Off Work
One of the leading benefits of nitrous oxide sedation is that there are no lingering side effects. The sedative effects wear off within minutes of removing the mask. Patients are released to drive themselves home and typically return to normal activities the rest of the day.
You Can Only Receive Sedation for Complex Procedures
Sedation dentistry can be used for multi-step dental procedures or for a simple dental cleaning based on what the patient needs to feel comfortable. Don’t be shy about asking for sedation dentistry if you would otherwise avoid your routine dental checkups!
Sedation Dentistry is Expensive
Reducing your anxiety doesn’t have to come at a high price. You’ll be surprised at the affordability of sedation dentistry, especially in terms of what it provides in return. Not only does sedation dentistry involve very little out-of-pocket expense for the patient, but it is typically covered by most insurance policies. This means you can maximize your comfort and minimize cost.
Find a Sedation Dentist in New York
At Park South Dentistry, we proudly offer sedation dentistry as an effective means to give patients the comfortable and rewarding dental visit they deserve. For more information about nitrous oxide, please call our New York office.
