Dental Anxiety? Consider Sedation Dentistry

You haven’t been to the dentist in years, but every time you think about scheduling an appointment, you hear the sounds of drills and feel the scrape of dental instruments. 

You have dental anxiety. 

The good news? You’re not alone. You’re surrounded by millions of fellow dentophobes. The bad news? Giving in to your fear of the dentist opens the door to a slew of serious oral health problems. 

The best news? We offer sedation dentistry at Rifkin Dental. Here, our team of dentists walks you through exactly how sedation dentistry works, so you can finally give your teeth and gums the care they need. 

Understanding the problem 

One of the primary reasons for dental anxiety is the fear of pain. It’s no secret that dental procedures often involve the use of sharp instruments, drilling, or injections, which can, at times, cause discomfort or pain. If you’ve had a bad experience in the past, such as a painful dental procedure or an insensitive dentist, you may not want to risk more pain. 

 Dental anxiety can also stem from a feeling of losing control. Sitting in a dental chair with limited visibility while your dentist performs intricate procedures can be an unnerving process. 

Some are rattled simply by the sounds and smells associated with dental procedures. Finally, you may have dental anxiety out of fear of judgment or embarrassment about the condition of your teeth. 

 It’s important to remember that we regard dental anxiety as a valid concern, but not something impossible to overcome. So, we make methods like sedation dentistry, relaxation techniques, and open communication with our patients pillars of our comprehensive services. 

Understanding the solution

Simply put, sedation dentistry involves using medications to help you relax or, in some cases, doze off through your dental procedure. We offer two main types of sedation: oral medication and IV sedation. 

With oral medication, you take a prescription shortly before your procedure. You’re usually awake and able to communicate during your appointment but rest assured, you’re also completely relaxed. 

IV sedation offers more relaxation by delivering medication directly into your bloodstream. This option is much stronger than oral medication, allowing you to be completely unaware of what’s happening during your procedure and have no memory of it when you wake up. 

Both options are safe and administered under the guidance of licensed professionals. Even if you receive IV sedation, you recover quickly from the effects. We can use sedation dentistry to help you get through something as simple as a routine cleaning or more invasive procedures like root canals. 

Some sedation pointers

If you’re receiving sedation at your appointment, there are a few extra steps to take before arriving. Our team gives you detailed preparation guidelines that usually include avoiding alcohol and smoking and fasting for a certain period. 

Still have questions about what sedation dentistry can do for you? We’d love to answer them all. Call or click to schedule an appointment with us at one of our Rifkin Dental locations in either Carmel or Yorktown Heights, New York, today.