If the thought of visiting the dentist makes you feel anxious, you are not alone! Fear of the dentist in some form or another is reported in up to 75% of people! At Mirage Dental, your complete comfort and well-being are extremely important to us. That is why Mirage Dental is proud to offer sedation dentistry options for patients wanting to minimize their anxiety during their next dental visit.
Sedation Dentistry
Your SE Calgary Choice for Sedation Dentistry!
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
The first step on your path to an anxiety-free dental visit is understanding what Sedation Dentistry is and how it may benefit you. Sedation Dentistry has helped many people manage their dental phobias and has enabled them to take the steps necessary to get the dental care they need. As the name implies, Sedation Dentistry allows you to be sedated during your dental visit. Sedation Dentistry uses various sedative options to achieve a relaxed, easy, and calm state in patients. The sedatives we use range from mild to moderate in their effect and may be administered by our Family Dentists in two ways:
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation
- Oral Medication Sedation
How is Sedation Dentistry Administered?
Nitrous Oxide Sedation (also known as “laughing gas”) is a safe and effective sedative agent made up of oxygen and nitrogen. It is inhaled through a small mask that fits over the nose. The inhalation of the gas helps induce a moderate state of relaxation; you will be able to hear and respond to any direction or requests, but you should ultimately feel quite comfortable and relaxed. The effects of the gas wear off quickly after the mask is removed, so you can usually drive yourself home after your appointment.
Oral Medication Sedation is a popular method of sedation used to empower patients in the management of their fears of the dentist. This method uses the administration of oral sedatives taken in pill form, usually about an hour before your dental visit. Patients generally report feeling quite comfortable and relaxed during their treatment and remember little of their dental visit – as if they had slept through the treatment. Despite having little memory of the procedure after it is over, patients actually maintain a level of consciousness that allows them to follow the dentist’s instructions during the dental procedures.
What Type Of Sedation Dentistry Is Best For Me?
When considering which type of sedation dentistry is right for you, it is important to disclose to your Family Dentist any drugs or medications you may be using so that your dentists can select the type of sedation that is best for you. We suggest that you bring a detailed list of your medical history to your initial consultation, including any medications and nutritional supplements you may be using.
What Are the Benefits Of Sedation Dentistry?
A major benefit of Sedation is that it allows people experiencing dental anxiety or fear to stop avoiding regular dental hygiene and periodontal treatments. Routine dental care, such as dental hygiene visits, is essential in preventing the onset of more complex dental problems. By following recommended routine care and maintenance recommendations, our patients end up with fewer visits to the dentist!
Another benefit of Sedation is that the perception of time a patient experiences during a visit feels like minutes rather than long periods of time. This results in a more relaxed patient experience and allows your dentist more time to perform longer, more complex procedures in a single visit rather than over several visits. Since there are fewer appointments, this means that treatments like the replacement of missing teeth, wisdom teeth extractions, smile makeovers, implants or bridges, as well as root canals and other complex dental treatments are no longer out of reach for patients with dental anxiety.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
The good news is that sedation dentistry is considered very safe. Mirage Dental ensures the safety of our Sedation Dentistry patients at all times. If you have any questions or concerns about Sedation Dentistry, please let us know! At Mirage Dental, we are happy to take the time to make sure you are informed and feel completely comfortable with your upcoming treatment and the use of Sedation Dentistry.
Is Sleep Dentistry the Same As Sedation?
You may hear of sedation referred to as sleep dentistry. The term “Sleep Dentistry,” however, can be misleading. When we use sedatives, you are not actually asleep, though you may feel quite sleepy due to the effects of the sedatives. Please be aware that the term sleep dentistry is often connected to the use of general anesthesia. The use of general anesthesia in dentistry is not considered to be Sedation Dentistry.
If you have any questions about sedation dentistry, or you are wondering whether sedation dentistry might be right for you, call Mirage Dental at (403) 272-1500, and we will be happy to assist you.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!
Call Mirage Dental at (403) 272-1500 to set up your Sedation Dentistry appointment today!
