Over fourteen million people are afraid to go to their dentists. Most of them have fears of undergoing dental treatment because of their traumatic experiences when they were children, or because of a bad experience with dental procedures that they had as an adult, or simply because they fear needles and extraction. In other words, it is the anticipation of pain and discomfort that actually creates anxiety and fear.
Fortunately, there is a way to help address these problems through sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry. Being a member of the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (ADSA), Dr. Ghannam and his team are highly trained to administer safe and anxiety-free dental treatments. They will address all your dental concerns and fears – and with them, a beautiful smile is only a visit away.
Here are some several sedation dentistry treatments that one can choose from:
Oral (Conscious) Sedation
Oral Sedation involves the administering of oral sedative drugs to patients. It is done by giving a pill or pills to be taken orally, usually taken a night before the treatment, or the morning prior to the procedure.
Medications range from calming or relaxing drugs, to the much stronger ones, which renders a patient to be unaware of the procedure but conscious enough to awaken easily. Generally, patients under oral sedations are conscious. The main purpose of this is to reduce the fear and anxiety felt by the patient as he undergoes dental procedure.
Oral sedation can be administered together with Nitrous Oxide, or otherwise known as the laughing gas – for added comfort. The doctor and his team will provide a comforting environment. This can include relaxing music of your choice, pillows and even blankets. It will make you forget the dental trauma you have always had – and you will awaken with a brand-new smile.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous Oxide, otherwise known as the “Laughing Gas” or “Happy Gas”, is a sedative agent, which has been designed to put the patient in a very comfortable or happy state. Through the use of this agent, the patient becomes sleepy and unaware of the dental procedure – making the procedure less intimidating for him.
If used alone, this sedative agent can easily get out of the human system and the patient is immediately brought back to his normal state. It is safe, and a person who has been into nitrous oxide sedation can even be allowed to drive himself alone, unlike other forms of sedation.
Nitrous oxide sedation can also be used together with oral sedation if a more potent effect is desired. This type of sedation can both be given during simple and complicated dental procedures.
Intravenous Sedation
Intravenous Sedation is given to patients who want to be completely asleep and oblivious to the entire dental procedure. This type of sedation is considered as the highest form of sedation that can be given to dental procedures, and is mostly used in most complicated treatments, such as dental implant procedures and the like.
Sedations are usually given to prevent anxiety and not as a pain reliever. Once the patient is under sedation, a local anesthesia is usually given before the dental procedure will begin.
The level of sedation that this method entails is very deep. Patients will have no memory of the entire procedure. Hence, it is important that the patient’s heart rate and blood pressure should be monitored.
These are just some of the sedation dentistry treatment methods you can use for your benefit. In the long run, what is essential is that you are able to have that safe and effective procedure that you deserve – and eventually have that beautiful smile that you’ve always wanted. Dr. Ghannam and Dr. Lynch can help make that a reality at Artisan Dental Institute. Please contact our offices for an appointment.
Artisan Dental Institute is in the heart of Burke VA and serve Burke, Fairfax, Falls Church,Arlington, Tysons Corner,Oakton and Vienna.
