Sedation/Sleep Dentistry

Many people are afraid of going to the dentist. But today’s dentistry techniques are completely pain-free. So don’t let your fear stop you from getting the treatment you need, especially if you’re already feeling pain in your mouth. Sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry take all the worry out of your mind and keep you relaxed while your professional, caring dentist does whatever needs to be done to get you out of pain and keep you out of pain.

Almost a third of Americans stay away from the dentist because of anxiety-based fear, reports the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. As a result, these many millions of people don’t get the dental care they need, pushing tooth decay and gum disease into a quiet crisis in the U.S. Instead of going to the dentist, even for regular bi-annual cleanings, they’re letting tooth decay build up to dangerous levels.

Without proper dental care, you put yourself at risk for a number of health issues, including:

1. Cavities
2. Tooth pain
3. Periodontal disease
4. A tooth infection or abscess
5. Even jaw pain

Why You Need Sleep or Sedation Dentistry

Without sedation dentistry techniques, you may avoid the dentist, putting your teeth at risk. Once you lose a tooth or have to have one extracted, it can lead to an awkward bite, a deteriorating jaw bone and other dental health issues. But knowing that painless sleep dentistry is available, you may come in to CitiDental for pain-free treatment.

You can take advantage of sleep dentistry or sedation dentistry for many procedures. Cleanings, fillings, a root canal and even full mouth dental implants. Ask your family dentist in Queens how sedation or sleep dentistry can help you overcome your fears.

The Different Types of Sedation Dentistry

Most types of sedation dentistry don’t put you out completely. You often need to respond to your dentist’s questions. The goal is just to make you feel relaxed. The level of sedation you receive depends on your medical history, the procedure you’re undergoing, your level of fear and your pain sensitivity. The types of sleep dentistry include:

• With this form of sedation, you’re calm but conscious. Often, the method used to put you in this state is an inhaled dose of laughing gas (nitrous oxide). It’s not dangerous or addictive, and it leaves you carefree while under its influence. It wears off so quickly, in fact, that you can drive yourself home when it’s over.
• To get into a deeper, calm level of sedation, you may need to take medicine orally or get an injection that may make you unable to speak clearly. You’re not unconscious, but you won’t remember the procedure. You can’t drive yourself home after this level of sedation; you’ll still be woozy.
• Deeper still. Your sedation dentist can put you into a deep state by using an intravenous drip medication. While you’re not completely knocked out, you won’t feel anything. After the procedure, it may take you some time to clear your head, but you’ll be fine in a few hours.
• Completely out. General anesthesia is what they use in hospitals when you go in for surgery. Your dentist can put you out completely so you don’t feel or remember a thing. It does take time for you to come out of it afterward, so you’re given that time. Sleep dentistry is used only for a combination of high anxiety and a complex procedure.

Candidates for Sleep and Sedation Dentistry

If you have a debilitating fear of dentists, sedation or sleep dentistry can work for you. Whatever gets you into the dentist’s chair long enough for a checkup and cleaning makes it worthwhile so you can get the dental care you need. Other people who are candidates for sedation dentistry include those who:

1. Fear dentist offices
2. Gag or choke easily
3. Have very sensitive gums and teeth
4. Can’t stand pain and discomfort of any amount
5. Have to undergo a long procedure and just can’t sit still for the whole thing
6. Have special needs and may have difficulties keeping still for any length of time

To take advantage of sleep dentistry, you can’t be obese because it affects your ability to heal. If you have sleep apnea or problems with the chosen anesthesia, tell your dentist. You may not be able to have any type of sedation dentistry.

Are There Any Risks from Sleep or Sedation Dentistry?

Any time you have a medical or dental procedure done, there are some risks. But that’s probably one of the reasons you’re afraid of the dentist. Relax. The risks are minimal, and its very rare that anything happens outside of the dentist’s control.

You should find out whether the sedation dentistry or sleep dentistry techniques are covered by your insurance company. Sleep dentistry in particular is not often covered. But since you’ve come to CitiDental, you can get affordable dentistry plans, which may even include payment programs.

Get the care you need. Stop avoiding the dentist. It’s not too late. Sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry have made believers of many New Yorkers. Contact your family dentist in Queens to learn more about this painless form of dentistry.