Going to the dentist’s office doesn’t have to be a scary experience. However, for many patients, dental anxiety is a real thing, and it keeps individuals from getting the care they need. Fortunately, your sedation dentist in Worcester has a solution…or two. With oral and IV sedation now available, patients no longer need to worry about what to expect during a dental visit. Read on to learn more about these two unique solutions and which one might be right for you.
What is Oral Sedation?
Using a safe, effective, and commonly prescribed medication, oral sedation allows you to feel completely relaxed during your dental appointment. Prior to your visit, you will take the prescription as instructed. By the time you arrive and are settled into the dentist’s chair, you will already begin to feel the effects of oral sedation. Relaxed, comfortable, and stress-free are just some of the feelings you will achieve. This will make it easy for the dentist to safely perform the work that is necessary without worrying about you wincing or reacting in a way that could make the process more difficult.
Since the effects of the medication take time to wear off, it will be necessary to have someone escort you to and from your appointment. It is likely you will be able to return to your normal routine the next day.
What is IV Sedation?
IV sedation, also known as Intravenous Sedation, is administered via an IV tube. If you experience moderate or severe dental anxiety, this is a great option for you. It is also the most commonly used form of sedation for patients who require multiple procedures to be completed during one visit.
Just like oral sedation, you will need someone to help you get to the dental office as well as back home. IV sedation will likely have you feeling quite relaxed for a longer span of time, so you can expect to go home and rest for the remainder of the day.
Which Method of Sedation is Right for You?
It’s likely that while you might believe one form of sedation will be better for you, your dentist has something else in mind that would be better. There are certain aspects of oral and IV sedation that you should know before you agree to move forward with sedation dentistry. Some of these include:
- If you struggle to see your dentist on a normal basis because of your dental anxiety, oral sedation will be a much more reasonable solution for you. It is a much easier process if you need simple dental treatments (i.e. root canals, general cleanings, filling cavities).
- By choosing oral sedation, it does require some time to “kick in,” so you will need to make sure you allot for any additional time needed for the medication to fully take effect.
- IV sedation is stronger than other types of sedation, so if you’re plagued by severe dental anxiety or require complex dental care, this is the right solution for you.
- You are able to cooperate with your dentist while remaining fully relaxed with IV sedation.
- IV sedation is considered to be the safest form of sedation because it is monitored by your dental team the entire time you are receiving anesthesia.
With sedation dentistry, you’ll never have to worry or be afraid of the dentist again. No matter which option you choose, trust that your dental professional will take care to ensure your comfort and safety are their top priority.
About the Practice
At Handsman & Haddad Periodontics, P.C., we want you to be comfortable during your visit. Whether seeing us for a general cleaning or complex procedure, Dr. David Handsman and Dr. Todd Jenny take pride in providing safe and effective sedation dentistry options to make your experience more enjoyable and less stressful. To learn more about which sedation methods we offer, contact us at (508) 753-5444.
