How to Enjoy your Dental Treatment

OK, so it may be a little too much to expect a person to actually grin through dental treatment.  But it is possible for a patient who has a fear of dental treatments to sit though one without a panic attack.

The fear of going to the dentist is deeply ingrained in all of us. Even though dental treatment these days involves the use of anesthetics that can minimize pain levels, a visit to a dentist is still a nightmarish scenario for many patients. For some, it's the sound of the hand drill that can cause panic, while for others it’s the sight of the shiny, stainless steel instruments all laid out ready to be used that builds up anxiety. Fear of pain very often results in people avoiding visiting a dentist.  In fact, approximately 30 percent of the population avoids going to the dentist precisely because of this fear of pain.

When a patient avoids going to a dentist because of this phobia, he risks ruining his dental health. A lack of proper dental care can cause cavities, gum disease and a host of other dental problems. In many cases, patients may avoid going to the dentist until their oral hygiene has slipped to dangerously low levels, and has caused a range of complicated dental problems. When treatment is delayed for so long because of the fear of pain, the treatments necessary can be not only complicated, but also very expensive.

Your dentist however will use methods to help you relax while undergoing dental treatment. Sedation of a patient during dental treatment can be through a variety of methods. For instance, dentists may use conscious sedation in which you may experience pleasurably relaxed feelings but are still conscious, and able to remember whatever happened after the treatment. Besides, dentists may also use other types of sedation dentistry that can cause you to forget what happened in the dentist's chair.

Types of sedation

Oral sedatives
Oral sedatives like valium are meant to be taken orally. These may be suitable for use in children who refuse to take an injected sedative. Oral sedatives however take a longer time to take effect.

Nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide leads to a decrease in feelings of tension. You will feel yourself becoming relaxed slowly, and although you won't be completely unconscious, you won't notice any pain that results from the treatment. A dentist needs licensing in order to be able to administer nitrous oxide.

Intravenous sedation
Intravenous sedation like the name suggests, is released directly into the patient’s body through an intravenous or IV line. This kind of sedation is more effective than other forms because your dentist is able to increase or decrease the sedative amount that is released into the body. However, intravenous sedation if administered improperly can affect your breathing. Your dentist will keep checking your oxygen levels, while treatment is ongoing, and will provide additional oxygen.

General anesthesia
General anesthesia involves placing a patient in an unconscious state. This kind of sedation is used for those patients who have severe dental problems, and need complicated and extensive treatment. Such kind of sedation is rarely administered in a dentist's clinic or office. A dentist needs to have all the right equipment as well as trained staff who can handle any complications if these arise. In most cases, general anesthesia is administered in a hospital setting.

There is some controversy regarding the use and abuse of sedatives for dental treatment. Sedatives may not be necessary for routine dental treatment, and for persons who are able to handle the anxiety of receiving treatment in a dentist's chair. For a large number of patients however, sedation is the only way they can tolerate dental treatment. For such patients, sedation may be not just an option, but also a necessity.