For some people, going to the dentist feels like an impossible task. Many people experience such severe anxiety over visiting the dentist that they would rather live with their dental issues than go to the dentist. At Wood Park Dental in Eagan, MN, it doesn't need to be this way.
Sedation dentistry provides medical means to help reduce anxiety or calm nerves before a routine dental procedure. Sedation dentistry offers options from calming sedation to general anesthesia to people who:
- suffer from anxiety while being at the dentist
- fear the procedure they need to have done
- cannot sit still in the chair or keep their mouth open long enough for the procedure to be performed
- have low pain thresholds
- patients who are too nervous about the procedure
How Does Sedation Dentistry Help?
Patients near Eagan who avoid going to the dentist can get the high-quality dental care they need with sedation dentistry. If you feel like sedation dentistry would help you, talk to your dentist about it during the consultation for your procedure.
What Kinds of Sedation Are Available?
There are two kinds: light sedation and local anesthesia. For procedures that typically only require a local anesthetic to be numb the affected area, a light sedative like nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") may be administered by the dentist to calm the patient and make the experience more pleasant. Though the patient is conscious during light sedation, the experience is less impactful and easier to get through. Many patients find light sedation relaxing enough to make their trip to the dentist not only doable, but easy.
Local anesthesia will put you to sleep for the duration of the procedure and isn't used in sedation dentistry unless its the only way the patient will be able to get the procedure done. This kind of sedation carries more risks than the others and should be discussed thoroughly with your dentist to see if it is the right option for you.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Dentist in Eagan, MN!
Exploring your sedation options begins with a consultation. Contact Wood Park Dental today at (952) 431-5088 to schedule an appointment and learn how our dentists can use sedation dentistry to get the care you need.