The Mental Health Advantages of Oral Sedation Dentistry
- By Mary Marks
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- 04 Dec, 2023
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Dental procedures can be both physically and mentally demanding. For those with a dental phobia, they can be particularly daunting, and it can be difficult for them to seek professional Highlands Ranch sedation dentistry dental care. This is why oral dentistry can be an effective tool in helping to reduce anxiety levels and alleviate stress.
What is oral sedation dentistry?
We are discussing a particular type of dental care where patients take medication before their appointments. The medicine helps to relax and quietly calm them during their treatments. Depending on the severity of the case, the patient may be lightly sedated with an anti-anxiety pill such as a benzodiazepine, or they may receive a moderate amount of sedation with an anti-anxiety drug such as an opioid.
Oral sedation dentistry - benefits
Oral sedation dentistry is the leading choice for alleviating dental anxiety. It reduces the patient’s fear of needles and other potential pain, as well as general anxiety. The patient’s comfort is much more easily maintained when relaxed, which decreases fear and increases their ability to tolerate the procedure.
Improved mental health
Oral sedation dentistry is not only helpful in reducing the anxiety and fear associated with dental treatments, but it can also help to improve mental health overall. Often, the anxiety associated with dental appointments affects a person for days or weeks before the appointment. The patient can feel at ease with oral sedation dentistry, knowing that the appointment will provide minimal discomfort. This can help reduce overall stress levels and lead to a positive outlook towards future dental procedures.
Although oral sedation dentistry Highlands Ranch is one of the optionsavailable for managing anxiety and discomfort during oral surgery, you certainly do not need to use it all the time. As a matter of fact, the exact type of sedation or anesthesia that you receive during oral procedures may depend on various factors, such as the complexity of the procedure, your medical problems, as well as your doctor’s preferences.
There can be several different levels of sedation that can be used in oral surgery. Local anesthesia is one of them. This involves injecting anesthetic medication into the specific area where the surgery will take place. It numbs the area and is often used for less invasive procedures.
Oral sedation involves taking medication in the form of a pill to induce a state of relaxation and drowsiness. The patient is still conscious, but he/she may not be fully aware of the procedure. At any rate, sedation helps him/her get rid of anxiety.
In the case of intravenous sedation, medication is administered through a vein, which induces a deeper state of sedation than oral sedation. Patients may still be conscious, but they are less aware of their surroundings and may not remember the procedure.
