Have your dental fears kept you from receiving the dental care you need? Sedation dentistry offered by your dentist in Harrisburg, PA, Dr. Aziz Majid, can help you feel much more relaxed and comfortable during your visits.
Is sedation dentistry a good option for you?
Dental phobia is a very real issue that prevents people from getting the oral health care they need. No matter how much you would like to see the dentist, you may find yourself canceling checkup appointments or delaying treatment for toothaches and other dental issues. If you feel anxious, frightened, or overwhelmed during dental appointments, sedation dentistry might be an excellent choice for you.
Once the sedative takes effect, your anxiety will disappear. Sedation dentistry makes appointments much less stressful and offers several other important benefits including:
- Better Oral Health: If you don't visit the dentist regularly, you're much more likely to develop cavities, gum disease, or other oral health issues.
- Reduced Risk of Serious Dental Problems: Cavities and other issues only get worse if you avoid seeing the dentist. If you don't treat tooth decay promptly, it may eventually affect your entire tooth. Treating cavities and other issues when they're minor can help you avoid extensive dental procedures.
- Fewer Visits: When you can only tolerate short visits, it may be necessary to break up treatments into several parts. Thanks to sedation dentistry, you'll be able to handle sitting in the dental chair for a half-hour or hour and can avoid multiple visits for treatments.
What types of sedation are available?
An oral sedative might be a good choice if you find it difficult to even walk through the doors of the Harrisburg dental office. You'll take the medication before you arrive for your appointment. As the effects of oral sedation can linger for a few hours, you will need a ride to and from your appointment.
Inhalation conscious sedation, commonly called laughing gas, is another option. If you choose this method, you'll wear a small mask over your nose that will deliver the medication. The effects end as soon as the dentist turns off the machine, which means you can drive yourself home from your appointment.
Intravenous (IV) conscious sedation involves delivering the medication through an IV line placed in your arm. You'll be awake while you receive treatment but probably won't remember the treatment or checkup at all. You'll need to ask someone to drive you home with this type of sedation.
Do you dread the needle used to deliver local anesthetics during dental treatments? DentalVibe, available at the Harrisburg dental office, eliminates the pain of injections. The vibrating tool prevents your brain from receiving pain signals from your nerves and also helps the anesthetic work faster. DentalVibe, combined with sedation dentistry, can make your visits much more pleasant.
Could you benefit from sedation dentistry? Call your Harrisburg, PA, dentist, Dr. Majid at (717) 652-5288 to schedule your appointment.