Common Sedation Dentistry Misconceptions in Scottsdale and Other Major Cities

Author: PV Smiles Reem Kidess | Posted on with comments

Many people fear dentists and visits to the dentist because of the procedures they have to go through whenever they have appointments. A sedation dentist Scottsdale patients go to will attest that some patients reach adulthood, still harboring fear over the pain they experienced getting a root canal or having teeth extracted as a child.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, only 62% of American adults visited their dentists in the year 2009. That means almost one third of the American adult population don’t see their dentists for regular maintenance and treatment. Some who experience toothaches try to wait for it to pass or take over the counter medicine without knowing the cause.

However, this should no longer be the case as advancements in technology paved the way for sophisticated innovations in the field of dentistry. These innovations include sedation dentistry in Scottsdale and other major cities. General anesthesia has been around since the mid-1800s and this novel discovery of Dr. William Morton opened up endless possibilities in the world of dentistry and medicine.

Sedation dentistry is here to stay. However, some people still have misconceptions about this method of treatment. Here we discuss the most popular myths about sedation dentistry that hamper people from having this procedure.

Myth 1: Sedation puts you to Sleep

This is the most common misconception in sedation dentistry. People think that they will be administered a dangerous anesthetic that will put them to sleep so the dentist can drill away. This isn’t the case. There are various levels of sedation and your dentist will help you determine which level is most comfortable for you.

Afterwards, patients might forget little things that went on during the procedure due to the kind of medicines used. This is normal and the method of sedation is completely safe.

Myth 2: Sedation is only for major procedures

Sedation dentistry can be used for a number of reasons other than major dental procedures. These include sensitive teeth, a powerful gag reflex, difficulty in numbing the nerves, needle phobia and uncontrollable or involuntary body movements, for instance spastic patients.

Myth 3: You can’t Have Sedation Dentistry without an IV

This is false. Various types of sedation are available to patients, their dentists will work with them to determine which one will help them stay relaxed throughout the treatment they will be having. A sedation dentist Phoenix patients consult can attest that there are several types of sedatives they can use. Patients may be given “laughing gas” or nitrous oxide, or have the sedative administered orally or intravenously.