Many people dread the whole experience of going to the dentist and avoid appointments altogether. One survey suggested that about 80% of the population have some degree of anxiety or fear when going to the dentist. Finding a sedation dentist might well be the best solution for those who suffer from dental anxiety.
Types of Dental Sedation
While you are looking for a Waterloo sedation dentistry office near you, there are some terms you should become familiar with. Knowing what the terms mean will help you find a dentist you are comfortable with.
- Local Anesthesia – The dentist typically uses an injection of Novocain to block the nerves in an area of your mouth so you won’t feel the treatment. Sometimes a topical anesthetic may be applied to numb the mouth before the injection. You may check with your dentist to see if they use modern computerized anesthesia which is applied directly with a wand instead of an injection.
- Oral Sedation – In some cases, sedation dentistry in Waterloo uses a form of oral sedation to avoid using needles altogether. Oral sedation is administered using a pill or capsule. You will have to take it quite some time before the procedure so it can take effect. This means someone will need to drive you to the appointment.
- Nitrous Oxide – This form of sedation is also referred to as laughing gas. This does not render you unconscious, or even put you to sleep but it will relax you don’t feel pain. It’s likely you won’t even remember the treatment.
- IV. Sedation – For some patients, a dentist might use intravenous sedation. The I.V. puts medication directly into the vein. This is used along with a local anesthetic in most cases. It will not put you to sleep, but you won’t remember the procedure and it should wear off in about an hour. * Erbsville Dental does not offer IV sedation.
How to Find a Sedation Dentistry Office
There are several ways to find a dentist who uses sedation. First of all, you can ask friends and family members for recommendations of sedation dentists they have used and been pleased with. You may ask your primary care physician or a local pharmacist for a recommendation. If you are moving to a new location, your present dentist may be able to give you a recommendation of a sedation dentistry office in your new location.
You can also do a quick Google search for the term, “sedation dentistry.” To find the one closest to you, include the name of your city, or one nearby in your search. Once you narrow your search down to a few dentists, call their office and ask them what types of sedation they use for their patients. It is recommended that you call or visit several dentists before choosing one.
No matter which dentist you decide on, or what type of anesthesia they use, be sure to take someone with you to the appointment. This way they can be available if you need someone to drive you home.
