It is very common for people to have an aversion to going to their dentist out of fear of being put through distressing dental treatment. After all, receiving dental treatment can often involve you placing a great deal of trust in your dentist to be careful with your mouth, teeth and gums.
However if you are looking for dental implants in Melbourne, then you have no reason to worry, as not only will your dentist always be professional and take the utmost care possible with your teeth, they also have a range of sedation options available, to help you get through treatment with reduced anxiety and stress.
What sedation options are available?
There are numerous sedation options available if you are feeling nervous about a dental appointment, most of which fall under the category of ‘conscious sedation’, which is sedation that does not make you fall asleep. Two such examples are intravenous (also known as IV) sedation and inhalation sedation.
An intravenous sedation is administered to you via an injection. Dentists and nurses are trained to deliver this sedation in a controlled and comfortable manner, which should help to mitigate any fear or discomfort around needles.
However if you still do not feel comfortable with the prospect of an injection, inhalation sedation may be a better option for you. Rather than using a needle, inhalation sedation works by placing a small mask over your nose and mouth. Inside the mask there will be a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. By breathing in these gases you should receive a deep sensation of calmness and a feeling of being relaxed whilst your treatment is going on, alleviating the potential anxiety from having dental work done in the first place. With this in mind, you should hopefully be able to have less fear of going to the dentist, as with these sedation options, it should be a much more calming experience than anticipated.
Who is a good candidate for sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is usually available for anyone who feels nervous about having dental treatment done, especially if this nervousness is preventing them from going to the dentist or seeking out dental treatment when they need it. Children are also sometimes recipients of sedation dentistry, especially if they are finding it difficult to co-operate or sit still during a dental appointment due to fear. Even if you do not feel especially nervous or anxious about having dental treatment, it may still be worth thinking about having some sedation if you know that you need a lot of treatment done to you, just to make the whole process easier on yourself.
What can I do to help improve my nervousness about dental treatment?
There are multiple ways you can help yourself to become less nervous about going to the dentist. One method that many people find helpful is to visit their dental surgery before going to get treatment, so that they feel more comfortable and familiar with the environment, including the dental staff and so that they can let their dentist know about their fears and worries in advance. Some also find it helpful to bring a friend or family member with them to their appointment, as this can help to keep you more comforted and distracted from the appointment itself.
Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.
