One traumatic experience at the hands of an inexperienced dentist is enough to trigger this lifelong fear of dental procedures. In fact, many people today have not seen or visited their dentist for at least a decade because of this fear and as a result needlessly suffer various dental problems that could have been easily treated or avoided.
Dental phobia, or the irrational fear of dentists, is often associated with the fear of doctors and hospitals, needles and blood, plus the foreboding atmosphere in the medical office. Many people also find the general atmosphere in a dental practice somewhat revolting. To alleviate this, contemporary dental offices project a more relaxing and inviting ambience to calm their patients' fears.
Even so, well-designed interiors may not be enough to entice patients who suffer from severe dental phobia. Luckily, patients can experience sedation dentistry and feel substantially much less discomfort than what they can possibly experience in any dental procedure.
Dentists administer sedatives orally, intravenously or by way of inhalation. Patients experience varying levels of sedation based on the process and depending on their general health. At present, nitrous oxide--also known as "laughing gas" due to its euphoria-inducing qualities--is mainly used for invasive procedures like root canal therapy.
A
Chicago sedation dentist typically administers oral sedatives to patients with acute dental phobia about one hour prior to the procedure. Certain anxiolytic medicines such as diazepam are applied together with nitrous oxide to induce a sleep-like feeling so that patients remain conscious but without any trace of anxiety. Such medicines inhibit panic or fear and make patients feel drowsy. Patients need to therefore bring someone to accompany them in the event they get over-sedated.
Intravenous sedation produces exactly the same outcomes as oral sedation. This can be beneficial for patients who do not fear needles. An expert
Chicago sedation dentist may also administer analgesic medication via an intravenous tube.
Some patients who choose the type of
sedation dentistry Chicago dentists administer do not necessarily suffer any dental phobia. Rather, these patients might have an unusual immunity to some analgesics and call for sedation to prevent an overdose. It is also beneficial for those with a sensitive gag reflex and may injure themselves especially in the presence of sharp dental instruments.
