(217) 546-3333Sedation Dentistry – Springfield IL – Comparing Nitrous Oxide and Oral Sedation
July 3, 2012
Nitrous Oxide Sedation vs. Oral Sedation
Tooth complications can be painful and the thought of dental procedures give many people anxiety. For this reason, sedation dentistry is becoming a much more popular solution for a relaxing and pain-free experience. As a result, the patient will be in a position to readily accept dental remedies and receive lasting solutions to oral health problems. This makes it important to visit a dentist with the right dental equipment and knowledge of dental sedative agents. The dentist can, for instance, compare nitrous oxide sedation vs. oral sedation methods by considering the severity of the dental problem at hand to cushion the patient from pain and possible biological side effects.
Good dental practices require administering of nitrous oxide sedation in doses comprising of 25 to 50 percent nitrous gas with the remainder of the composition being oxygen. The gas’s sedative effects can be noticed in two to five minutes and is administered through the nose using a hygienic gas mask to achieve better effects. The slightly sweet smelling gas should be administered using equipment with proper fail safe function.
Oral sedation, on the other hand, can be used in cases where the patient has a problem breathing through the nose. The sedation process involves the use of sedatives taken orally. The process is easy to administer as there are no needles involved and is affordable compared to sedative process such as intravenous sedation. Also known as conscious sedation, oral sedation allows for better doctor-patient communication as you will be able to respond to verbal commands to enhance effective treatment.
It is important to choose an experienced sedation dentist that can evaluate your medical history to determine the best sedation method for you. Dr. VanderMolen and the staff at Advanced Dental Care of Springfield have you covered. Contact us at (217) 546-3333 to schedule a consultation and learn more about sedation dentistry and any of our other services. We have the answers you need.
Sedation Dentistry – Springfield IL – What steps do I need to take to prepare for my visit?
June 26, 2012
Many people feel uneasy at the thought of visiting a dentist. Most of them have an idea that the procedures done by dentists are painful and also feel a bit embarrassed to show the dentist their oral condition. But with the advancement of medical technology, dental surgeons now use very easy methods to sedate their patients before performing dentistry on them. One question many patients will have is “What steps do I need to take to prepare for my sedation dentistry visit?”
Firstly you should discuss with your dentist what type of sedation you will be given. There are many forms of sedation dentistry including inhalation sedation, oral sedation, and IV (intravenous) sedation. It is important to understand that sedation is not only about putting you to sleep, but is only a part of the entire process. Methods used for sedation dentistry only make you feel drowsy, unlike general anesthesia, used to place patients in a deep sleep and having side effects lasting for hours after surgery. You should talk to your dentist about any concerns and fears you have during consultation.
You should to prepare yourself mentally as well as physically before you walk in for sedation. You should relax yourself and have a good night’s sleep.
There is nothing to fear in sedation dentistry. You will not feel any pain during the procedure. The important thing to do is to select the right dentist. You should see what experience a dentist has in this type of dentistry and approximately how many procedures he has performed up to now. You should not be afraid to ask your dentist questions about the areas you have doubts about and how you should prepare for the procedure.
Dr. VanderMolen is the sedation dentist you can trust for all your dental needs. If you are anxious or fearful of the dentist, sedation dentistry could be the best option for you. For more information about this and all our other services, contact our office at (217) 546-3333. We look forward to working for you!
Sedation Dentistry Springfield IL – How Does Sedation Help Those with a Fear of Needles?
June 19, 2012
A number of people are not too fond of the idea of going to the dentist. For them, the dentist’s office has been associated with pain over a long period of time with some choosing home remedies as an alternative. It is also a reality that most people do not like the idea having needles stuck in their gums in the name of numbing any pain that might result from a dental procedure. Fortunately, dentists have many new procedures and techniques that make these fears unnecessary. One of these options is Sedation Dentistry.
Dentists have to use needles to intravenously inject a sedative into the gum so as to numb it. Using a needle directly on the gum can prove very painful for a patient. For a while, patients had to endure this pain on top of the pain they would usually feel after a dental procedure once the intravenous anesthetic wore off. It is no longer necessary to put patients through injection pain in the name of numbing their gums for an even more painful procedure.
Currently, sedation dentistry is done orally in most cases. With oral sedation, needles are still involved but the patient will not feel any pain once injected. The concept is really quite simple: a sedative is administered to the patient, once it takes effect, an injection can be used and the patient will not feel any pain.
The reason why sedation is almost never used alone is because some dental procedures target specific areas. It is also a fact that a number of dental procedures are very invasive and may cause trauma to the tissue in the area affected. This means that a more specific pain numbing method needs to be used; the method in this case is a local anesthetic which is most effectively administered intravenously. Sedation by itself cannot raise the pain threshold for a patient to endure painful procedures like root canals.
Provided you visit a qualified practitioner, you can have a painless experience regardless of the procedure. It is possible to go to the dentist and have a procedure done without even remembering a single detail. There is really no need to fear the dentist anymore.
Dr. VanderMolen and the team at Advanced Dental Care have the knowledge and skill you need for an exceptional Sedation dentistry experience. For more information on sedation dentistry or any of our other services, or to schedule a consultation, contact our office at (217) 546-3333 . We look forward to hearing from you.
Dental Anxiety – Springfield IL – What can I do about it?
May 22, 2012
Dental anxiety or fear about visiting the dentist is quite natural. In fact, about 15% of Americans are fearful about going to the dentist & tend to avoid dental check-ups. Most people are not able to understand why they feel so anxious about going to the dentist. According to experts, needle phobia, & previous memories of bad dental experiences are among the reasons behind dental anxiety. The dental procedure that patients seem to be most fearful about is none other than root canals. Thus, for those suffering from extreme dental anxiety, the best option for them is to go for sedation dentistry.
Dentistry in which sedatives are used before a dental procedure is performed so that the patient remains calm & relaxed during the procedure is known as sedation dentistry. Anti-anxiety medications, nitrous oxide & tranquilizers are some of the typical sedatives that are used. In the past, sedatives were administered intravenously, where the dentist would inject the sedatives into the blood vessels of the patient’s arm or hand. However, as mentioned, needle phobia is one of the reasons behind dental anxiety & the use of needles only made patients even more anxious.
Fortunately, many alternatives have now emerged due to the advancements in dental technology, & dentists no longer need to use injections to administer sedatives. These days, dentists are able to administer sedatives orally or in the form of anti-anxiety medication. Patients no longer have to worry or be anxious about being poked with sharp needles. As for the dental procedure, the sedatives leave patients really relaxed & allow them to experience no pain throughout the procedure.
There are several ways in which sedation dentistry is not only beneficial for an anxious patient but also for the dentist as well.
At times, dental procedures, such as a root canal, can indeed be really painful & as a result of this, patients only tend to feel more anxious. Anxious patients can even prove to be a distraction for the dentist as well. The sedatives administered cause patients to feel numb & relaxed. Thus, dentists are able to concentrate better on the dental procedure they are performing & the patients feel no pain.
Dentists usually find it hard to carry out treatments if their patients are really anxious & stressful. This can wear out the dentist, causing them to take a lot more time to complete the dental procedure. Thus, when the sedatives are administered, the dentists are able to perform the dental procedure more effectively & can save time too, while the patients remain unaware of the treatment.
While dental anxiety is quite natural, the best thing that patients can do about their anxiety is find a sedation dentist they trust. Dr. VanderMolen has the experience & knowledge you need. For more information on Sedation Dentistry or to schedule a consultation, contact us at 217-546-3333 or info@smilespringfield.com.
Why is my dental health so important and how can sedation dentistry help?
May 1, 2012
Many patients have anxiety about going to the dentist related to perceived notions of pain and discomfort that they expect. Sedation Dentistry can help people relax and have the dental procedures they need without the pain and anxiety.
Why is my dental health so important and how can sedation dentistry help?
With sedation dentistry, the patient is sedated through the entire procedure so that he will not feel any pain. The sedation type and level varies with the needs of the patient and the procedure being performed and the dentist’s recommendation. The possible sedation methods include, nitrous oxide, anti anxiety medication, depressant and tranquilizers.
Why sedation dentistry?
This type of dentistry addresses issues with patients who have had bad experiences in the past, offering them the relaxation they need so they can successfully maintain their oral health. Even though dentists will always use anesthesia during various dental procedures, sedation goes further, helping reduce the patient’s anxiety levels.
What is involved?
The decision for being sedated can only be the result of a patient communicating with his dentist. There are other aspects involved, not only the patient’s anxiety, but also health factors which will eventually determine the type of sedation used. During a procedure that involves sedation, the patient will, in many cases, not be aware of what’s happening and after the procedure, he may not remember it. It’s important to go with the services of a dentist who is experienced with this type of sedation.
For More information on Sedation Dentistry or to schedule a consultation, contact us at 217-546-3333 or info@smilespringfield.com