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Sedation Dentistry in Billings MT
Millions of people in this country are avoiding the dentist. Some stay away because they just aren't comfortable with dentist appointment, and some are just plain afraid. Many people put off their dentistry because they're just too busy for multiple appointments. Sedation dentistry is changing everything. Now it's possible to relax in total comfort through your entire appointment, or if you want, to sleep through it. Sedation also helps us to get your work done in fewer visits - many times in just one!
What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation uses safe and effective medications to relax you during your dental visit. There are a number of options to produce this effect, and a few different levels of sedation. At Fuller Periodontics and Implant Dentistry we help you to decide if you want or need sedation, and the type of sedation that is right for you.
Who is sedation for?
Sedation is for anyone who wants to be comfortable and relaxed through their whole dental visit. If you have any of the following:
- Fear of dental treatment
- History of traumatic dental experiences
- Difficulty getting numb
- Fear of needles
- Difficulty getting comfortable in the chair
- Unable to sit still when at the dentist
- Dislike the sounds and smells at the dentist
- Very sensitive gag reflex or difficulty opening
- Extremely sensitive teeth
- Limited time to get your dental care completed
- Complex dental problems; or a need for surgery
- Above average disdain for "getting numb"
- Embarrassment about your teeth
- In denial of a dental problem until the pain is unbearable
- Have not received professional dental care in many years, perhaps decades
- Go from dentist to dentist, or doctors, to renew painkiller prescriptions for dental problems
- Often make and then cancel dental appointments
- Make numerous, lengthy phone calls to the dentist's office
- Experience sweaty palms or find yourself gripping the armrests
- then yes, you are a candidate!
- If you hate the noises, smells and tastes associated with dental care and offices and you can't block them out despite the many distractions such as chairside TV's, then you may want to experience "twilight sleep" while we do the work.
Sedation dentistry has several forms, so let's get these straight first.
Recent research has indicated that the number one reason adults postpone needed dental care was fear! That's right, not time, not money, but fear! Yet dental decay and periodontal disease do not take exceptions!
A mild level of sedation can be achieved using nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and local anesthetic.
Some patients prefer conscious sedation, where you are sedated just enough to be unaware of the treatment, as if you were snoozing. When this is done with a few small pills, it is called oral conscious sedation.
Finally, IV sedation is what we will discuss below this. It is the deepest of all three, and Dr. Fuller is very comfortable working with each of these.
