Dental anxiety isn’t anything to be ashamed of – a lot of people suffer from this problem. That’s what led to the development of sedation dentistry, a method of dentistry used to help people who suffer from serious anxiety to get the oral health care they need and deserve.
Our team here at Hutchinson Family Dental in Hutchinson, Kansas, knows that sedation dentistry works, and Dr. Jay Stucky approves it as well. To help you see if it’s for you, let’s look at what the process entails.
What it is
Sedation dentistry is exactly what it sounds like – the process of using sedatives to help people relax while in the dental chair. This allows them to enjoy the time spent at the dentist’s office, hopefully lowering the levels of anxiety felt for future visits.
Laughing gas is one very common form of sedation, but that’s the lowest level available. Sedation generally has four levels, ranging from moderate laughing gas to being completely unconscious. For procedures like root canals or dental implants, you’ll likely be heavily sedated to where you hover in and out of consciousness. However, for cavity fillings, laughing gas is usually all you’ll need. However, your situation will be evaluated on a personal basis to ensure you get the best care possible.