When Should Conscious Sedation Dentistry Be Considered?

Individuals who feel a great deal of anxiety, fear, and stress about going to the dentist can have peace of mind knowing that Stony Brook Family Dentistry of Long Island offers conscious sedation dentistry. So there is no need to be embarrassed about your fears or phobias when you visit our office for a regular check-up or dental procedure. However, there are certain times when conscious sedation dentistry may be beneficial.

What Is Conscious Sedation Dentistry?

Conscious sedation involves the use of a combination of anesthetics and sedatives in order to block any pain that arises and help you relax when you are sitting in the dentist’s chair. As the name implies, you may be awake during conscious sedation and when you are undergoing a dental procedure. However, despite your wakened state, you may find it difficult to speak, if you can at all.

What Causes These Fears And Phobias About Dental Visits?

Dental phobias such as dentophobias and odontophobias are very real conditions that affect many individuals worldwide. These anxieties or fears about visiting the dentist are associated with a number factors that can be traced back to several sources. There are 6 common causes that we are aware of:

• Being embarrassed or getting teased because of poor oral hygiene
• Childhood or past traumatic experiences that occurred when visiting the dentist
• Fears regarding pain that you experienced during a past visit to the dentist
• Feeling helpless or that you lack control during dentist visits
• Loved ones or parents that have encountered similar unpleasant experiences
• Past abuse in your life may trigger dental anxiety, fear, and phobias

As you can see, there are numerous causes associated with dentophobias and odontophobias. In these cases, the use of conscious sedation can be very effective at relieving these issues.

What You Need To Let Your Dentist Know

In order to ensure your safety during conscious sedation dentistry, it is critical that you provide our sedation dentist with complete history of your oral and physical health. This includes the following issues:

• All prescription medications that you are taking
• Alternative or herbal supplements that you are taking
• Certain foods included in your diet
• Conditions that you are currently receiving treatment for
• If you drink alcohol or smoke, let your dentist know these factors
• OTC medications (including pain killers), remedies, and vitamins that you are taking

Stony Brook Family Dentistry wants to ensure that you dental experiences are always safe and pleasant. For more information regarding conscious sedation dentistry, please contact our Long Island office today.