By: David S. Hornbrook, D.D.S., FAACD, FACE
Dental techniques are becoming safer and more advanced every day, but it’s still very common for patients to get nervous about having dental work done. I use sedation dentistry at my San Diego practice to calm my patients and make their procedures more comfortable. When performed correctly by an experienced and qualified dentist, this practice is very safe and provides several benefits, including:
- No general anesthesia
General anesthesia can rarely have negative effects that some patients find scary. I avoid the use of general anesthesia by giving patients an anti-anxiety medication 1 hour before their treatment. This puts them into a “twilight” sleep that is very relaxing, comfortable, and safe.
- Reduced nervousness and discomfort
Sedation dentistry makes my patients’ overall experience with me much more enjoyable because it improves both their nervousness and comfort. Over time, with many positive experiences, they may even become relaxed to the point where sedation is no longer necessary.
- Gag reflex control
Some people with a sensitive gag reflex choose sedation dentistry to relax this reflex so that gagging does not occur during delicate procedures. Others may not have a sensitive gag reflex but the fear of gagging itself is enough to make them uncomfortable and nervous. Sedation dentistry can also help these individuals by putting them more at ease.