Has fear of the dentist kept you from setting foot inside a dentist’s office for years or even decades? Having anxiety about the dentist is very common, but unfortunately, the longer you stay away from the dentist, the more you increase your odds of developing very painful dental problems, which can end up affecting not only your teeth but your general health. Luckily, sedation dentistry is a tried-and-true method to get you through your dental procedure!

What is sedation dentistry?

The staff at Bentz Dental Implant & Prosthodontic Center is more than happy to discuss all aspects of sedation dentistry with you and to help you choose which type of sedation is right for you.

There are different degrees of sedation: mild, moderate, and deep.

• Anxiolysis is one mild form of sedation, for patients with mild anxiety. It is administered orally, and you stay awake during the procedure, but you’ll feel very relaxed. Nitrous oxide is also a mild sedative that will relax you, and this one comes with the benefit of a quick recovery as soon as it is stopped, so that you can get right back to your normal activities.

• Light intravenous (IV) sedation is typically thought of as “moderate sedation,” for use with patients who have moderate anxiety and may be going through a more complex procedure. You are still awake during the procedure, but you are in a very deep state of relaxation.

• In deep sedation, patients drift in between consciousness and unconsciousness and might have no recollection of the procedure once they come out of it. For both moderate and deep sedation, patients should have someone accompany them to the appointment and drive them home.

You should also know that you don’t have to be extremely nervous about your dental procedure – you can ask for it even if you are just a bit anxious or even if you have a hard time sitting still long enough for a procedure. The staff at Bentz Dental Implant & Prosthodontic Center wants you to have healthy teeth – but they also want happy patients! That’s why different levels of sedation are offered. For any questions about sedation dentistry or to make an appointment, call (610) 272-6949 today!