Dental anxiety is a common phobia that affects countless Americans. In fact, 75% of people have some type of dental phobia.
When you delay going to the dentist, you run the risk of cavities going undetected. In turn, this can lead to deeper cavities that require root canal treatment. Visiting the dentist is also about preventative maintenance for your teeth, making these visits a necessary part of oral care.
Luckily, there is a form of dentistry that helps individuals combat fears associated with the dentist. Sedation dentistry, also known as sleep dentistry, is a great option for those suffering from dental anxiety. This form of dentistry helps get more people into the dentist’s office and makes their experience more enjoyable.
If you have a fear of the dentist, it’s time to look into this form of dental care. Here are five benefits of sleep dentistry you may not have known before.
Let’s begin!
Table of Contents
1. Time Reduction
Our schedules are typically filled to the brim with important tasks. One of the reasons you may be putting off going to the dentist is because of time constraints or the length a dental appointment takes.
With a sleep dentist, that time is significantly reduced. Any questions you have for the dentist will be asked prior to the start of your procedure. This means you won’t be able to ask dentist questions mid procedure, so your time in their office will be reduced.
2. Reduction to Anxiety
Fear of the dentist is a recognized phobia. When you utilize sedation dentistry, you’re asleep throughout the entire process. You’ll be unaware of your surroundings and the work being done.
This is great for people who fear the noises dental tools make, especially when drilling.
3. Easier Pain Tolerance
If your biggest concern is pain management during your appointment, there’s a fix for that. With a sedation dentist, you are not awake or aware of any pain related to your dental procedure.
You can sleep throughout the entire procedure and wake up when the process is complete. Your dentist may use numbing agents so you feel little, if any, pain upon waking.
4. Several Different Options
Are you afraid of the types of sedation that are offered? The best part of sedation dentistry is that you have multiple choices. Most dentists offer three different options.
An IV sedation, laughing gas, or oral sedation are your options. Each offers a different type of treatment process.
Contact your dentist to discuss what type of sedation will be best for your treatment.
5. Easier for Your Dentist
With procedures like dental implants, you want your dentist to focus wholly on the task at hand. Since you’ll be asleep for sedation dentistry, your dentist will work without interruption.
Is Sleep Dentistry the Right Choice for You?
Putting off going to the dentist will only lead to long-term issues. Not only will your anxiety fester, but your dental issues will become worse as you delay treatment.
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