Get a Glamurous Smile

Over the years, many medical advances have been made in the area of dentistry. Some of these medical advances have helped patients feel less pain while undergoing a dental procedure. One such medical advance that has had a profound effect on the area of dentistry is sedation. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation are the primary types of sedation that dentists provide for their patients.

Not every dental situation that you encounter requires nitrous oxide or oral sedation. However, here are three instances in which dentists might recommend sedation for you.

1. You Have Severe Anxiety When Going to the Dentist

There are many people that feel fearful or anxious about going to the dentist's office. This feeling is referred to as dental anxiety. Some people are so anxious about going to the dentist that they avoid going at all costs. This is not a good idea, as your oral health could suffer greatly without routine dental exams and necessary dental procedures.

Oftentimes, if small dental problems aren't treated right away, they become much bigger and more painful problems. One example of this is a cavity. Left untreated, cavities can lead to a tooth abscess and even tooth loss. It's important to not let your dental anxiety prevent you from going to the dentist. If you do experience dental anxiety, sedation can help you feel relaxed at the dentist's office.

2. You Have a Low Tolerance for Pain

You might find that what is painful to you is not painful for others. This is because you probably have a low tolerance for pain. When you don't tolerate pain very well, it can make having a dental procedure a very uncomfortable situation.

For example, some patients wouldn't feel any pain when getting a dental crown. You, however, might feel some pain during the procedure. If this is the case, dentists can provide a general anesthetic or sedation to make you more comfortable.

3. You Need to Have a Certain Dental Procedure

Some dental procedures, such as getting a cavity filled, might only require a numbing agent that only numbs the area of the mouth where the dentist needs to work. Numbing agents like Novocaine are considered a general anesthetic. However, there are other dental procedures that require more than just a general anesthetic.

These procedures can be more painful, plus they may require you to keep your mouth open for long periods of time, which can make you feel very uncomfortable. Dental procedures that usually require sedation include root canals, dental implants, tooth extractions, and periodontal surgery.