Sedation Dentistry
Springville, UT
Many people are apprehensive about visiting the dentist, even if it’s just for a regular checkup or a procedure. This anxiety can prevent people from going into the dentist’s office altogether and getting the treatment they need to keep their teeth healthy.
For such patients, Maple Creek Dental offers sedation dentistry as a solution. The medication allows the patient to feel completely relaxed during the entire appointment.
For patients who feel extremely anxious, using sedation may provide a lifeline. It also works well for patients who don’t respond particularly well to anesthesia, or who have a strong gag reflex.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
With sedation dentistry, Dr. Jackson uses sedatives to help patients relax completely. With a low level of sedative medication, patients stay conscious but feel deeply relaxed. The sedative relaxes the muscles and prevents the patient from feeling any pain.
Maple Creek Dental provides expert sedation dentistry in Springville, UT.
Why Use Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation isn’t necessary for most dental procedures. Using a numbing agent during a treatment ensures that patients don’t feel pain. However, when a patient is extremely anxious, their muscles tense up.
Tense muscles might mean that the dentist can’t open the patient’s mouth properly, or at all. Sedation negates this issue, allowing the dentist to do the work necessary.
Benefits Of Sedation Dentistry
Some of the reasons patients appreciate sedation dentistry include:
- Safe
- Few, if any, side effects
- Helps anxious patients relax
- Stops the gag reflex
- Relieves pain
Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry
Do patients feel pain?
A combination of the sedative and local anesthetic ensures that patients feel no pain.
Does minimal sedation make patients sleepy?
Patients stay conscious and can carry on a conversation. They may feel a little sleepy, but not so much that they’re not aware of what’s happening.
Will patients remember the procedure?
The answer depends on what type of sedative the dentist uses. Time spent under sedation seems to go much faster in all cases. Patients will usually only remember details if the dentist uses minimal sedation.
Do patients feel groggy afterward?
They may feel slightly groggy until the sedation wears off. We recommend having someone else drive the patient home. While the patient usually isn’t sleepy, their reflexes will be dulled. It’s safer to get a friend or family member to fetch patients from the appointment.
What types of sedation do dentists use?
Most dentists use nitrous oxide or a pill to help patients relax. Years ago, dentists may have given the sedative intravenously, but this is no longer a common practice.
How does sedation work?
With nitrous oxide, the dentist puts a mask on the patient. They then pump the gas through a hose to the mask. With a sedative pill, the patient takes the medicine with water.
The sedatives take around twenty minutes to reach full strength. The dentist won’t begin to work until the sedative has taken effect.
When the procedure is over, the dentist may give the patient oxygen to help them feel more alert.
Is it safe to sedate patients?
With a professional dentist like Dr. Jackson, it’s extremely safe. There are always some risks associated with taking medication. That’s why Dr. Jackson ensures that he knows a patient’s full medical history before giving them the sedative. Patients must do their part by telling Dr. Jackson about any medication that they’re taking.
Can Dr. Jackson sedate children?
In particular, children benefit from sedation dentistry as they’re most likely to feel anxiety in the dentist’s chair. The sedative is mild enough to use on children.
What are the side effects?
Most patients won’t experience any side effects. Occasionally a patient will have a dry mouth or the hiccups.
Are there different types of sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry falls into four main categories:
- Minimal Sedation:Patients are awake, feel relaxed, and remember everything.
- Moderate Sedation:Patients are awake and able to speak, but are unlikely to remember much.
- Deep Sedation:Patients are on the brink of unconsciousness, but can still be roused easily.
- General Anesthesia:Patients are entirely unconscious and will only regain consciousness after the anesthesia wears off.
Is it better to be conscious or unconscious?
Dentists prefer to use fewer pharmaceuticals and so will usually recommend minimal sedation. Patients who are conscious throughout will be able to remember the procedure. This memory is advantageous in relieving anxiety during the next session because patients see how smoothly the procedure goes.
A deeper level of sedation may be necessary in cases where a patient is extremely anxious or where the procedure will entail surgery. Dr. Jackson will weigh the pros and cons of each option with the patient. Using a general anesthetic always carries risks, and so is best avoided where possible.
Can patients drive themselves home after a procedure?
With minimal sedation, patients may be able to drive themselves home and even return to work. When the dentist uses deeper sedation, the patient should have someone collect them instead.
Getting Started
If you live in the Springville area and are interested in visiting a sedation dentist, call (801) 489-6811 to schedule your appointment. At Maple Creek Dental, we will take the time to get to know you and understand what all of your concerns are prior to making a formal recommendation as to the type of sedation dentistry that you should consider. We will also need to know if you have any other health issues, risks, or are allergic to anything. Typically, if you have responded well to pain medication or sedation in other medical treatments, you will do well with sedation dentistry and not experience any negative side effects. Still, if you have questions or concerns be sure to discuss them with us. With any type of dental work, it is important to be well informed and make a decision that you feel is best for your health and your goals. As such, we want you to be an informed and educated patient. Thanks to modern technology, if you are afraid of having dental work done or visiting the dentist in general, you no longer have to be. As a sedation dentist, we can ensure that your experience is a positive one. Call 801-489-6811 for more information or to get started.
Contact Us Today
You will need to give feedback on your lifestyle and expectations so that together, we can create a treatment plan that will work today and a year from now. To learn more, call 801-489-6811 and schedule an appointment with our Springville, UT dental office.
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Definition of Dental Terminology
Cosmetic Dentistry
Cosmetic dentistry is generally used to refer to any dental work that improves the appearance (though not necessarily the function) of a person’s teeth, gums and/or bite.
Dental Caries
Dental caries are also known as cavities and result from a lack of proper oral hygiene leaving plaque that forms tiny holes in the teeth.
Dental Filling
A dental filling involves restoring the structure of the tooth by using metal, alloy, porcelain or plastic to fill the tooth.
Dental Sealants
Dental sealants contain a resinous material that we apply to the chewing surfaces of the posterior teeth to prevent dental caries.
Gingivitis
Gingivitis is the inflammation of gum tissue that results from plaque, other infections in the mouth and poor oral hygiene.
Tartar
Tartar forms when plaque builds up on the surface of the teeth and calcifies into a hard surface that is much more difficult to remove and will require professional treatment.
Decay
Tooth decay is when the enamel of the tooth begins to decay and cause erosion from plaque and tartar on the teeth.
Dental Checkup
A dental checkup is an appointment that involves cleaning the teeth, identifying any signs of infection and removing said signs of infection at least once every six months in the office.
Dental Prophylaxis
A dental prophylaxis is a professional and detailed cleaning that involves the removal of plaque, calculus and stains from the teeth.
Dentist
A dentist, also known as a dental surgeon, is a doctor who specializes in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of diseases and conditions of the oral cavity.
Preventive Dentistry
Preventive dentistry is the dentistry that focuses on maintaining oral health in order to prevent the spread of plaque, the formation of tartar and infections in the mouth.
Tooth Enamel
Tooth enamel is the protective visible outer surface of a tooth that contains the dentin and dental pulp.
About
We are committed to providing quality healthcare to families located in the Mapleton area and treat patients of all ages.
Office
Maple Creek Dental
774 S 1600 W #103, Mapleton, UT 84664
Grove Creek Dental
238 E State Rd #2
Pleasant Grove, UT 84062
Contact
Phone: (801) 489-6811