It is extremely common to suffer from dental anxiety. Severity differs from person to person, but it can so out of hand that people stop getting their teeth taken care of because they are frightened by the procedure, the sounds, and the overall thought of going to the dentist. Dentists have realized this, and have realized how poor people let their teeth get because of their anxiety, that most now offer sedation dentistry.
There are different types of sedation used in dental offices. Depending on the type of procedure or the level of anxiety the patient is suffering from, is how dentists choose what to administer. From an inhalation sedative to stronger anesthetics, such as IV sedation, there are options available.
IV sedation, is an anti-anxiety sedative that is administered through injection, into the vein. This specific sedation method allows for a deeper calm for the patient. IV sedation is typically used in wisdom teeth extractions. Because of the deepness of this sedation, most patients find themselves completely unaware of the procedure taking place. This is a good sedation option for procedures like wisdom teeth, because patients may squirm in their chair or make other movements that would allow the procedure to not be done in an efficient way.
IV sedation specifically must be administered by a certified sedation practitioner, because of how strong the anesthetic is. If your dentist offers this method, they will need someone on staff that has gone through the proper training. This being said, you should feel safe while going through IV sedation, because of the level of training that needs to be taken prior to the person inserting the needle.
If you believe you would be an ideal candidate to receive sedation methods while being at the dentist, you should contact your doctor. It is important to alert everyone in the dental office of your concern and stress level so they can administer the proper sedation method. This also allows the doctor to perform the proper treatment plan.
