Sedation Dentistry
If you struggle with dental anxiety or low pain tolerance, you may be tempted to put off visits to the dentist.
Our dentists can help you overcome these obstacles, relax during treatment, and take care of your oral health with sedation dentistry.
Learn more about sedation at our Lakewood, CO, dental practice and how it can benefit you...
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is simply medication we use to help patients relax during dental treatment. The team at our dental office in Lakewood, CO , offers different levels of sedation in the forms of nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedatives to help patients overcome their aversion to the dentist's office.
Reasons to Consider Sedation
Dental Phobia
Dental phobia can stem from a number of factors, including unpleasant past experiences, claustrophobia, and embarrassment. Sedatives can alleviate the anxiety you feel before, during, and after your dental procedure.
Movement Control
Sedation not only relaxes the mind but the body's natural movements and reactions. Patients who struggle with keeping still in the dentist's chair will be able to sit calmly even throughout lengthy or complex dental work.
Pain Tolerance
A primary concern among patients is the pain associated with dental procedures, especially if you have a low pain threshold or highly sensitive teeth. Sedation reduces your sensory awareness, minimizing the discomfort of treatment.
Gag Reflex
Some patients have an overactive gag reflex, making dental work extremely uncomfortable. Sedation will calm your body's natural gag response, allowing you to receive treatment without unpleasant sputtering or choking.
Dental Phobia Is More Common Than You Think...
Dental phobia is a common condition that affects patients of all ages. Anxiety can affect you deeply, causing you to lose sleep at night, struggle with concentration, or have physical symptoms such as an elevated heart rate.
Types of Sedation
Our dentists offer two forms of safe, effective sedatives for our patients in the greater Lakewood and Denver areas...
Oral Sedation
Oral conscious sedation involves taking a prescription anti-anxiety drug in the form of a pill before you undergo treatment. Depending on the dosage, oral sedatives can induce a light or moderate level of relaxation. In both cases, patients will remain awake and able to respond to questions and instructions. Oral sedation can take a few hours to wear off, but carries little risk for side effects.
Nitrous Oxide
More commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is an odorless gas administered through a mask over your nose. When inhaled, nitrous oxide induces a feeling of deep relaxation and mild euphoria. The amount of gas you receive is carefully controlled during your procedure and wears off quickly once the mask is taken off.
