Do you often feel anxious about visiting the dentist? Do you avoid necessary dental procedures out of fear? You’re not alone if you answered yes to either of these questions. Dental phobia affects millions of people worldwide, preventing them from getting the dental treatments they need to maintain good oral health. Fortunately, there’s a solution – sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry is an excellent way to lessen anxiety during your dental visit, and at Rankin and Mingle Dentistry, we provide it for patients in Aurora, Colorado.
What is Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry involves using medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. There are different types of sedation, including:
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a mild sedative that patients receive through a mask that will go over their nose. The gas is administered, allowing patients to feel relaxed. Patients may feel tingling throughout their body during the nitrous oxide sedation treatment. Unlike other forms of sedation, laughing gas wears off quickly, allowing patients to drive themselves home after their dental treatment.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is a relaxing tool that lets a patient consume a pill or liquid an hour before their dental procedure. Patients report feeling drowsy after taking the pill or liquid but are still awake during the treatment. Oral sedation takes a few hours to wear off, so they must have someone else drive them home.
IV Sedation
With medication inserted directly into a patient’s veins, patients are put into a state of relaxation, although they can still respond to any commands during treatment. IV Sedation takes a few hours to wear off, and it is required that a patient who has gone under IV sedation have someone to drive them home.
Dr. Michael Mingle and Dr. Jennifer Rankin will determine the appropriate type based on your medical history, the procedure performed, and your anxiety level.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry is beneficial for several reasons:
- Relaxation: It helps patients feel relaxed and comfortable during dental procedures, making the experience less stressful and more tolerable.
- Preserve Time: It allows dentists to complete multiple procedures in one sitting, which saves the patient time and reduces the number of appointments needed.
- Less Pain: Sedation dentistry is a blessing for patients with a low pain tolerance or sensitive teeth. Although sedation dentistry does not remove pain and using numbing medication is necessary, it does help make it more tolerable during treatment.
Risks of Sedation Dentistry
Like any medical procedure, sedation dentistry has its risks. The most common risks include nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. However, serious complications such as allergic reactions or heart problems are rare. It’s important to note that sedation dentistry is generally safe, and our excellent Dr. Michael Mingle and Dr. Jennifer Rankin are qualified to give nitrous and oral sedation to all patients. Should a patient need IV sedation, Drs. Rankin and Mingle can arrange for a nurse anesthetist to administer that in the office.
Is Sedation Dentistry Right for You?
Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for patients with any of the following:
- Sensitive teeth
- Low pain threshold
- Gag reflux
- Mild to severe dental anxiety
However, it’s not suitable for everyone. People with certain medical conditions or taking certain medications may not be good candidates for sedation. Discussing your medical history with Dr. Mingle or Dr. Rankin before sedation is essential.
Sedation Dentistry in Aurora, CO
In summary, sedation dentistry is an excellent solution for those who suffer from dental anxiety, fear, or discomfort. It allows patients to undergo dental procedures easily and helps dentists complete treatments more efficiently. While sedation dentistry has some risks, they are generally minimal, and the benefits outweigh them. If you’re interested in sedation dentistry, schedule an appointment today at Rankin and Mingle Dentistry and speak with Dr. Mingle or Dr. Rankin to determine whether it’s right for you. Enjoy a relaxing and comfortable dental experience with sedation dentistry!