How Our Burlington Dentist Provides Painless, Relaxing Dental Care at Asleep For Dentistry
Sedation dentistry allows the most anxious of patients to get their oral health on track
At Asleep for Dentistry, providing a comfortable and painless dental experience for our patients has always been a top priority.
In fact, dentistry has cosme a long way in ensuring patients have as positive of a dental visit as possible. With comfortable chairs to sit in, protective eyewear to block out strong light during treatment, and even TVs mounted on the ceilings of the procedure rooms among other comfort-promoting efforts - patients can generally expect a rather pleasant dental care experience today.
However, dental anxiety and fear are still very common for many patients. In fact, millions of people neglect their teeth each year due to these concerns.
The good news is: Sedation dentistry has been a game changer for many of these particularly anxious patients.
When it comes to dental anxiety, there are various medications available to alleviate most fears and allow a patient to have a painless dental experience.
Dentists often seek out one of three different types of sedation options for their patient. They differ in their administration, as well as the level of pain control and anxiety relief that they provide.
Oral Sedation/Medication:
This is a pill or liquid prescribed and taken prior to the procedure. These sedatives, often referred to as sleeping pills, allow the patient to become very relaxed to the point that they are generally not aware of the treatment being provided. As this is a stronger level of sedation, patients will require a ride to and from the dental office and will usually need to rest after the treatment, allowing the sedative to wear off
This type of sedation is ideal for longer, more invasive procedures, and for patients that would rather not be aware of the dental treatment being provided.
Inhalation Sedation/Medication:
Nitrous oxide is used in inhalation sedation (often referred to as laughing gas), and is a great option for painless dentistry. Once inhaled, a patient can feel warm/tingling sensations, as well as a general sense of well-being, or may feel “floaty” or extreme sleepiness. Either way, it’s a pleasant feeling!
Nitrous oxide works very rapidly - reaching the brain within 20 seconds, with relaxation and pain-killing properties developing after 2 or 3 minutes. The depth of sedation can be altered from moment to moment, allowing the person who administers the gas to increase or decrease the depth of sedation.
Best of all, because the gas is eliminated from the body within 3 to 5 minutes after the gas supply is stopped, a patient can safely drive home after their dental appointment without the need of an escort.
Intravenous sedation (conscious sedation):
Intravenous sedation is used for more extensive procedures such as the removal of wisdom teeth. The IV is administered in the dental office prior to the dental procedure. The medication allows the patient to become extremely relaxed and unconcerned about what is going on around them while still being conscious. IV sedation is the most effective method of gaining predictable and adequate sedation in nearly all patients.
Looking after your teeth, gums and overall oral health is important for your well-being. Don't let anxiety of going to the dentist deter you from a visit.
If you consider yourself to be a nervous or anxious patient, our painless dentist is here to assist you.
Contact our warm and experienced Dr. Samuel Toong, DDS, MSc today to schedule a friendly meeting or consultation, or to learn more about painless dentistry offered at Asleep for Dentistry.
Our Burlington dentist will assess your overall oral health and help you determine your needs so that you can have a painless appointment at our dental office, which may include dental sedation.
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