It is undeniable that there are some people who feel quite uncomfortable with visiting the dentist. In fact, there are some who go beyond discomfort to feel actual fear. For example, the idea of sitting in a dental chair to get veneers Houston may be so stressful that a patient may actually ignore the need just to avoid visiting the dentist.
Fortunately, there is help available to those who panic because of dental visits. Sedation is an option that can be taken if necessary. Those who opt for these techniques should carefully go over the options with their dentists. It is important to remember that the introduction of any additional medication or substance to the body brings with it additional risks.
The administration of conscious or unconscious sedations should be in accordance with the guidelines issued by the American Dental Association. In addition to strict adherence to the rules, the patient should ask the dentist if the sedation technique is something that he or she has done before. Having an experienced dentist significantly reduces the risks involved.
Conscious sedation can involve the use of different techniques. The first is through the use of nitrous oxide with oxygen. More commonly known as laughing gas, it results in mild sedation that works to alleviate some of the stress associated with visiting the dentist. One of the advantages associated with the use of nitrous oxide is that it is easily reversible. What this means is that the effect of the sedation lasts only as long as the gas is inhaled.
Another kind of conscious sedation is called oral sedation. This is recommended for adults who suffer high levels of anxiety so they need deeper sedation. It is not as flexible as nitrous oxide in that once the medicine is ingested, it cannot be reversed until the body naturally eliminates the medication. In the alternative, intravenous sedation can be used for more complicated procedures.
Unconscious sedation is another term used to refer to general anesthesia. This is used for major dental work such as jaw surgery. Cases that require general anesthesia are not handled in the dental office. They are done at hospitals where a full medical staff can easily be available in case of emergencies.