Sedation dentistry is mostly associated with people who have anxiety about seeing the dentist. While this is true, you can ask for sedation like nitrous oxide and oral sedation for other reasons too. Below are some situations where sedation could make the process easier, explained by 915 Smile Studio’s sedation dentist in El Paso, TX.
Stiff Muscles or Other Physical Limitations
Some dental procedures take a long time, and there’s no way around it. Sitting still for an hour or more is a struggle for some people, especially if you have pre-existing neck or back problems. Some people who are a little afraid of dentists can get over it mentally but still experience shaking. Even without a dental phobia, it’s natural for you to feel tense, which can fatigue your muscles over time. Sedation dentistry options can help your muscles relax.
Similarly, sedation can help patients with medical conditions or special needs. For instance, conditions that cause shaking or muscle movements can make dental work more challenging, and nitrous oxide or oral sedation can help.
Long Procedures
Stiff muscles are just one concern for patients undergoing more extensive dental work. Sometimes, it’s just hard to sit for that long. We can employ sedation tactics to make long procedures like root canals or wisdom teeth extractions feel like they take less time. This can also cut down on the number of visits to the office—we can knock out more work when you’re relaxed and comfortable.
Strong Gag Reflex
If you have an overactive gag reflex, it may interfere with your treatment. You can’t control this response, and that’s okay. Our dentist may just recommend sedation to help your throat relax and allow us to perform your procedure as quickly as possible. This is especially important in cases where we need to work on your back teeth.
Other Phobias
You may have no conscious problems with dentists, but your procedure could bring up other anxieties. You may experience claustrophobia in the chair, especially if you’re triggered by people being in your space. Having hands and tools in your mouth can also make your claustrophobic brain think you won’t be able to breathe. If this sounds familiar, talk to our sedation dentist, and we can arrange for nitrous or oral sedation for your appointment at our El Paso, TX, office.
Another phobia that can be triggered by working on your teeth is fear of needles. We may need to use them to inject local anesthetic to numb you before treatment. Let us know if this makes you anxious. It’s a very common phobia, and we’re more than willing to accommodate you. Sedation can make you less worried about or even unaware of an injection.
Ask About Our Sedation Dentistry Options
Sedation dentistry is not just for those with dental anxiety, so don’t hesitate to ask our team if you could benefit from it for your procedure. We won’t rush you into getting work done but will take the time to create the best environment for your dental care. Contact 915 Smile Studio today to schedule with our sedation dentist in El Paso, TX.
