Do you struggle to visit the dentist due to fear or anxiety? Dental fear is an incredibly common condition that prevents many people from receiving the care they need. Fortunately, sedation dentistry can help. This practice uses medication to help patients feel relaxed or to put them to sleep during treatment so that they feel comfortable and at ease. There is a range of other ways that sedation dentistry benefits people, so read on to learn about five of them.
#1: You’re Undergoing a Long or Complex Treatment
If you need a root canal or a procedure related to your jaw that will likely take several hours to complete, dental sedation can help. These kinds of procedures may require longer treatment times or be complex, so dental sedation will help prevent keep you comfortable throughout treatment.
#2: You’re Uncomfortable Sitting in the Dental Chair for Long Periods
For patients with certain cognitive limitations, physical injuries, or health conditions sitting in the treatment chair or reclining for a long period can be uncomfortable. Some children or older patients may also find this difficult, so sedation dentistry is a great way to help them relax and remain comfortable.
#3: You Suffer from TMD Or Other Jaw Problems
The temporomandibular joints, or TMJ, are located just in front of the ears. They connect one’s lower jawbone to their skull and assist in movements like chewing food and speaking. Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TMD) is a condition characterized by pain or compromised movement of the jaw joint as well as the muscles around it. This may cause difficulty chewing as well as clicking and locking of the jaw joint. It can also make it uncomfortable to have dental work done. Sedation dentistry can make treatment more bearable by keeping you relaxed and lessening discomfort.
#4: You Have an Overly Sensitive Gag Reflex
The gag reflex refers to what occurs when the muscles in the back of the throat contract and is triggered by an object touching the roof of the mouth, the back of the throat, the back of the tongue, the uvula, or the area around the tonsils. If a patient has a sensitive gag reflex, this can make it hard for them to get dental work without being stressed, uncomfortable, or in pain. Sedation dentistry can dull the gag reflex to lessen discomfort and help them feel at ease.
#5: You Have Very Sensitive Teeth
If you have cavities, teeth with excessively worn enamel, or exposed tooth roots, the increased sensitivity can make it unpleasant to have your teeth worked on. Dental sedation can keep you comfortable so your treatment can be completed.
As you can see, sedation dentistry can benefit more than just people who are scared of the dentist. If you have one of the above issues, speak with your dentist about sedation so you can receive the treatment you need pain and stress-free!
About the Practice
Dr. Lance Timmerman leads a compassionate team of Tukwila dental health professionals who work hard to ensure that patients feel safe and comfortable during their dental visits. They offer sedation dentistry to ensure that you feel at ease during treatment so your smile can remain healthy and bright. If you’re ready to set up an appointment with Dr. Lance Timmerman or want to learn more about dental sedation, call his office at (206) 350-6199 or visit his website to get started
