Sedation Dentistry Can Ease Fear and Anxiety
Patients often associate a trip to the dentist with a negative, painful experience and often put off important treatment because of a fear of dentistry. Serving patients in Billings, MT, Dr. David Casagrande offers various forms of sedation dentistry to help patients feel confident and comfortable about their treatment. We offer both oral conscious and intravenous (IV) sedation to meet the varied needs of our patients.
What is Dental Phobia?
According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, dental phobia is a very real and extremely prevalent anxiety among adults. In a survey of almost 2,000 patients, fear of the dentist was the most common phobia alongside a fear of heights and a fear of spiders. If you are anxious about visiting the dentist, you are not alone. Dr. Casagrande and his compassionate team are here to help you feel at ease by providing you with different sedation dentistry options during your procedure.
Forms of Sedation
When you think of sedation, you may think of being completely unconscious as your only option. However, varying levels of relaxation can be achieved using different forms and levels of medications.
Oral Conscious
If you require a mild to moderate level of sedation, we may recommend oral conscious sedation. These medications are administered 30 minutes to one hour prior to the beginning of your scheduled procedure. This simple form of sedation is taken in pill form, meaning it is often a good choice for patients with a fear of needles.
Dr. Casagrande can tailor your sedation to address your level of anxiety or discomfort, and he offers a full range of sedation options to help you undergo treatment confidently.
IV Sedation
Intravenous sedation, or IV sedation, can be used to achieve an effect known as "twilight sedation" because patients are somewhat awake and responsive during their procedure; however, they often have no recollection of the treatment following their appointment. We will administer IV sedation through a vein in your arm or the back of your hand.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia also uses IV sedation and is the deepest form of sedation. Dr. Casagrande prioritizes patient health and safety and coordinates care with a certified anesthesiologist. During treatment, the doctor will use medications to help ease you into a controlled level of unconsciousness. You will remain asleep even while invasive or complex procedures are underway. Due to the complete loss of consciousness, patients who choose general anesthesia often need assistance with breathing and cardiovascular function during the procedure. Our team is specially trained to respond to any complications stemming from anesthesia, and patients should feel at ease knowing the risk of complications from anesthesia is very small.
Are You a Good Candidate for Sedation?
All patients are different, and so are their anxieties about the dentist. There are several conditions or worries that can be alleviated by sedation:
- Fear of dental instruments
- Dental issues that require complex procedures
- Traumatic dental experiences
- Difficulty controlling movements
Prior to your procedure, please notify Dr. Casagrande, or a member of our team, if you suffer from any pre-existing health or medical conditions.
Why You Should Consider Sedation
Sedation has several benefits for patients who have anxiety about going to the dentist. If you have put off necessary visits to your dentist because of your nerves, sedation dentistry can help you get the treatment you need and avoid more costly, restorative procedures in the future. Sedation can make even the most dreaded procedures a comfortable, relaxed experience and help you enjoy your healthy smile without fear.
Call Us Today
Do not let anxiety get in the way of the dental treatment you need and deserve. Dr. Casagrande can tailor your sedation to address your level of anxiety or discomfort, and he offers a full range of sedation options to help you undergo treatment confidently. Call River Valley Advanced Dental & Implant Center at (800) 874-4667 or contact us online to schedule a consultation.
