For some people, going to the dentist is a routine part of looking after their health. For others, even making an appointment can bring feelings of anxiety, nervousness or fear.
If dental anxiety has caused you to delay or avoid treatment, sedation dentistry in Kamloops may be an option worth considering.
At Fortune Dental & Implant Centre, sedation options are available to help patients feel more relaxed and comfortable during dental treatment. The practice offers oral conscious sedation, nitrous oxide and IV sedation, depending on the patient’s needs and the treatment being provided. (More about Sedation Dentistry.)
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients feel calmer and more relaxed during dental treatment.
It doesn’t necessarily mean that you are completely asleep. In fact, many forms of dental sedation allow you to remain awake and able to communicate with your dental team while feeling significantly more relaxed.
The goal is simple: to make it easier for you to receive the dental care you need without anxiety getting in the way.
Sedation can be particularly helpful for patients who have had a negative dental experience in the past, feel nervous about dental procedures, have a strong gag reflex, or need more extensive treatment.
There isn’t one type of sedation that is right for everyone. Your dentist will consider factors such as your level of anxiety, medical history, the procedure you’re having and your overall comfort.
Nitrous oxide, sometimes called laughing gas, is a mild form of sedation delivered through a small mask placed over your nose.
It can help you feel calm and relaxed while remaining conscious and able to communicate with your dental team.
One of the advantages of nitrous oxide is that its effects generally wear off relatively quickly after the treatment is complete.
Oral sedation involves taking prescribed medication before your dental appointment.
It can produce a deeper sense of relaxation than nitrous oxide while still allowing you to remain conscious and responsive during treatment.
Because oral sedation can cause drowsiness and affect your coordination and reaction time, you will generally need someone to accompany you and drive you home after your appointment.
IV sedation is administered through a vein and can provide a deeper level of relaxation.
Fortune Dental offers IV sedation as part of its sedation services. (Learn More Here)
For patients who experience significant dental anxiety or are undergoing more involved treatment, IV sedation may provide an additional level of comfort. Your dental team will discuss whether it is appropriate for you and provide instructions about preparing for your appointment and arranging transportation home.
Sedation isn’t only for people who are extremely afraid of the dentist.
It may be worth discussing sedation with your dentist if you:
For some patients, sedation can also make it possible to finally address dental problems they’ve been putting off.
Not necessarily.
The level of sedation depends on the technique being used. With conscious sedation, you remain awake and can communicate with your dental team, but you should feel much calmer and more relaxed.
IV sedation can produce a deeper level of relaxation, and patients may remember little of the procedure afterward.
Your dentist will discuss the type of sedation recommended for your situation before treatment so you understand what to expect.
Sedation is widely used in dentistry, but it isn’t something that should be approached as a one-size-fits-all treatment.
Before sedation, your dental team should review your medical history, medications and other relevant health information to determine which option is appropriate for you.
At Fortune Dental, the goal is to provide dental care in a relaxed, comfortable environment while helping patients understand their treatment options. The practice has specifically positioned sedation as one of the ways it helps take the fear out of visiting the dentist. (Kamloops Sedation Dentistry Options)
Your dentist will also give you specific instructions about preparing for your appointment and what you should do afterward. Depending on the type of sedation used, you may need someone to drive you home and stay with you while the effects wear off.
Dental anxiety isn’t limited to adults. Children can also become nervous about dental appointments, particularly if they have had a difficult experience or are facing an unfamiliar procedure.
Fortune Dental offers sedation options for patients ranging from children to adults.
The appropriate approach will depend on the individual patient, their age, medical history, anxiety level and the treatment required.
Avoiding the dentist because you’re nervous can create a frustrating cycle. A small dental problem can become more complicated when treatment is continually postponed, which can ultimately mean more extensive treatment is required.
Sedation can help break that cycle.
If you’ve been telling yourself that you’ll eventually make a dental appointment but anxiety keeps getting in the way, you don’t have to simply push through it. Talk to your dental team about your concerns. There may be a sedation option that can make the experience considerably more manageable.
If you’re searching for sedation dentistry in Kamloops, Fortune Dental & Implant Centre offers several sedation options designed to help patients feel more comfortable during their dental care.
Dr. Jas Sarao and the Fortune Dental team take a patient-focused approach to dental treatment, with an emphasis on helping patients understand their options and feel comfortable throughout their care.
Whether you’re dealing with dental anxiety, have avoided the dentist for years, or simply want to discuss ways to make an upcoming procedure more comfortable, a conversation with your dentist is a good place to start.
You don’t have to let dental anxiety keep you from taking care of your teeth.
Contact Fortune Dental & Implant Centre to discuss your concerns and find out whether sedation dentistry could be right for you.
Call Fortune Dental at 250-376-5354 or book an appointment today. Click Here to Book Now.
Fortune Dental & Implant Centre
750 Fortune Dr #1A
Kamloops, BC V2B 2L2
