For some patients, having to have a dental procedure can be very unnerving. This often results in high levels of anxiety. In many cases, patients put off having the dental work they need due to their fears. Fortunately, there’s a new development that can help. Sedation dentistry is designed to help people get the care they need without the stress. James Island dentist Dale Probst, DMD offers sedation dentistry in his Charleston, SC office. Here’s a basic overview of this service and how it can help you.
- What is sedation dentistry? – Also known as “sleep dentistry,” sedation dentistry helps those who may struggle with staying calm during dental procedures by using medication to relax them. Most often, patients won’t be fully put to sleep by the medications, but instead will be sedated to a point that the procedure doesn’t cause stress or anxiety.
- What are the levels of sedation? –There are different levels of sedation that you can talk to your dentist about:
- Minimal – You’ll be awake during the procedure, but will be calm and at ease.
- Moderate – Stronger than minimal sedation, this option causes brief side effects, such as slurred speech.
- Deep – This level is the middle ground between being awake and asleep.
- General anesthesia – Patients are fully unconscious with this level of sedation.
- Which type will work best for me? – If you’re interested in sedation dentistry, talk to Dr. Probst. He’ll talk to you about your concerns, evaluate your overall health, and consider the type of procedure you need. If you’re a good candidate, he’ll recommend either nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, or IV sedation.
Does this solution sound like the answer you’ve been looking for? Call our office to learn more about this or any of our dental services. Request your free consultation today from our experienced sedation dentist near you.
