Sedation Dentistry for Dental Anxiety in Fort Nelson
Some people fear public speaking. For others, it’s snakes and spiders. Unfortunately, a certain percentage of the population fears the dentist above all else. At Northern Rockies Dental Clinic, we can sympathize with those fears. It’s not hard to see how having someone poke around your mouth with metal tools can be a little intimidating.
While the dentists at Northern Rockies Dental Clinic have received the highest level of training and years of experience to ensure that your appointment goes smoothly, we’re happy to accommodate those who are unable to control the fear and anxiety they feel during a dental appointment. Let’s take a closer look at what sedation dentistry is and how it’s helping patients in Fort Nelson face their fears.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is an approach to dental care which takes a patient’s fears into account. It’s one thing to feel a little nervous or anxious before an appointment. However, there are many who become sick or paralyzed with fear at the thought of climbing into a dentist’s chair. For these patients, Northern Rockies Dental Clinic offers a few different levels of sedation.
Sedation can range from being minimal, causing the patient to feel relaxed all the way into general anesthesia, during which the patient is completely unconscious. You should arrange a ride home following your appointment for all but the lowest levels of sedation. Sedation dentistry may also come into play for patients with a low tolerance for pain or discomfort or for those with a bad gag reflex. Certain medications should not be taken in combination with anesthetics. Patients with conditions such as obstructive sleep apnea may experience complications during the period in which they’re sedated.
The staff at Northern Rockies Dental Clinic will work with you to get a better sense of your medical history and lifestyle, searching for any factors which may affect your experience under sedation. When instructed to take sedatives on your own, it’s absolutely crucial that you follow the given instructions as closely as possible. Anesthesia and sedation can be incredibly dangerous if the carefully determined dosages are not followed.
Types of Sedation Available
Minimal sedation is often administered via the inhalation of nitrous oxide gas, or “laughing gas”. More potent sedatives include prescription medications such as Halcion, a drug similar to Valium. Moderate sedation may also be administered intravenously for fast-acting results. General anesthesia will also require an IV and is used only in extreme cases. Most dentists are able to administer sedatives on their own. However, in extreme cases, a specialist will be brought in to monitor your journey through anesthesia. Patients who choose to pursue sedation dentistry will also receive a numbing anesthetic in the area of the mouth being treated as needed.
Northern Rockies Dental Clinic has been helping Fort Nelson residents receive proper dental care despite their fears and anxieties for years with sedation dentistry. Our experienced staff are there to address your fears, anxieties, questions, and concerns. We want to make sure that each and every patient is as comfortable and confident as can be during their appointment.
If you find yourself avoiding proper dental care due to fear or anxiety, sedation dentistry may be right for you. Fort Nelson patients can call the experts at Northern Rockies Dental Clinic today! You can reach us over the phone by calling (250) 774-4484 or request an appointment online.
Frequently Asked Questions
The cost of sedation dentistry may vary based on a variety of factors including the amount of sedative required, the type of anesthetic received, your location, and your insurance coverage and provider. However, sedation dentistry has been reported to cost between $75 (for laughing gas and minor sedation) all the way up to $500 or $600 for general anesthetic.
Sedation and anesthetics exist so you won’t have to deal with pain, discomfort, and anxiety. The only instance of pain and discomfort you may experience during sedation may be the initial shot of sedatives or anesthetics used to numb an area or provide full-pain relief/unconsciousness. However, the quick pinch of a needle is typically considered a small price to pay for relieving you of pain, fear, discomfort, and anxiety.
All levels of anesthesia carry some level of risk and danger. A variety of factors, including your weight, sleeping habits, and genetics, can all play a role in having a successful experience during sedation. Thankfully, you won’t find yourself undergoing sedation without someone well-trained in managing your anesthetic experience in the room. Those who are authorized to administer anesthesia are, by law, required to receive years of extensive training and experience. When you undergo anesthesia at Strive Dental, you know you’ll always be in good hands.
