What Types Of Individuals Benefit From Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is oftentimes considered the solution for those individuals who suffer from anxieties or phobias about visiting the dentist. Although this practice primarily focuses on these types of individuals, there are a number of different types of patients that are afforded significant help from sedation dentistry and the techniques involved. For these individuals, this is the primary solution to obtaining the best dental care possible. We have listed the different dental patient conditions below that oftentimes require.

• Anxieties, fears, and phobias about going to the dentist – adults and children who suffer with dental anxiety, fear of going to the dentist, or related phobias are most likely the best candidates for sedation dentistry.
• Jaw soreness and TMJ disorder – TMJ can make it extremely difficult for a patient to open their mouths wide enough so the dentist can perform a procedure. Additionally, they may have difficulties keeping their mouths open. Sedation dentistry enables the patient to relax the muscles of their jaws as well as the overall tension they may experience in the muscles of their bodies.
• Movement control affected by certain physical conditions – there are certain conditions that adversely affect a person’s ability to control their movements such as Cerebral Palsy, Parkinson’s disease, and other central nervous system conditions that cause the individual to move uncontrollably. Not only does this affect the dentist’s accuracy during a procedure, it increases the patient’s risk of getting injured.
• Need for multiple, complex procedures or treatments – complex, invasive dental procedures are never pleasant for anyone, even when they do not have any anxieties, fears, or phobias about going to the dentist. Stony Brook Family Dentistry specialists will recommend sedation dentistry to keep the patient comfortable during these procedures.
• Severe gag reflex – individuals afflicted with this are afraid of choking or throwing up when undergoing a dental procedure. This not only affects the patient adversely, it makes things more difficult for the dentist performing the procedure.
• Special needs patients – individuals afflicted with Autism, Down Syndrome, and other mental disorders oftentimes encounter difficulties during dental treatments. They may have problems cooperating, following instructions, or sitting still when they are in the dental chair. In the more severe cases, the dentist may recommend general anesthesia.

Stony Brook Family Dentistry offers sedation dentistry for individuals that are classified with the conditions listed above. If you have been avoiding a trip to the dentist because of one of the above conditions, contact us today so that we can provide you with more comfortable dental services.