Archive for the ‘Sedation Dentistry’ Category
Friday, May 3rd, 2013
I have not been to the dentist in two years. Every time I go, I gag so bad that the dentist tells me to get out of here. There was this time when I got kicked out of the dentist because they thought I was going to beat them up because I was forming a fist during the appointment. Is there a way to somehow suppress or numb my gagging? But yeah, my gagging is SO BAD that my mouth won’t allow a mouth mirror to enter it. I want to cooperate to get out of there ASAP but my gagging gets in the way. Any suggestions?
Thanks, Peter in Illinois
Dear Peter,
As dental professionals patients gag often, however there are some that have a severe gag reflex so your not alone. Research suggest, that about one out of every five patients gag during a routine dental exam or while dental work is being completed. Many people have a fear of the dentist or get nervous prior to an appointment and this brings on anxiety. We are not sure if you experience anxiety or not but it sounds like you would truly like to get your dental work finished, however having anxiety prior and during treatment makes ones gag reflex a lot worse.
As by now, your dentist knows of your gagging problem and should be willing to work with you. If not, find one who will. If you choose to find another dentist, it is important to let him or her know of your gagging problem. There are several ways to suppress ones gagging reflex. One way to prevent gagging is to have a topical numbing agent, like hurricane spray, dispensed in the mouth. This will numb the tissues and help suppress gagging. Another option is to put table salt in your mouth and swallow it. Just a dash of salt actually prevents gagging well. A rubber dam can used during restorative dental treatment. This device is placed over the tooth that is getting worked on to prevent debris and water from reaching the back of the throat. Some patients even benefit from nitrous oxide, which is laughing gas. This actually helps reduce anxiety and relaxes one, however you are still aware of what is happening around you. This adds a little more expense to your treatment, however well worth it and significantly reduces most gagging in those who suffer from it.
When gagging is severe it may be difficult at times for even a highly experienced dentist to treat a patient. Most of these types of patients though suffer from a dental phobia as well. Valium is a sedation dentistry technique where the dentist issues the prescription drug to help sedate the patient and make them feel relaxed and comfortable. As a last resort, one can be put to sleep by general anesthesia. Most dentist are not qualified to perform this, however those trained in this field have gone into dental offices and worked with the dentist in sedating patients. This usually is not covered under dental insurance and can cost several hundred dollars.We recommend you consult with your dentist regarding your options. Since gagging is a problem for you we also advise you to keep your dental appointments short and schedule them in the mornings. Best of luck.
This post is sponsored by Cleveland dentist Hylan Dental Care.
Tags: fear of the dentist, gagging reflex, nitrous oxide, scared of the dentist, sedation dentist, sedation dentistry, sleep dentist, sleep dentistry
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Tuesday, April 9th, 2013
I am terrified of going to the dentist and truly want to overcome this fear. Any suggestions?
Thanks,
Carl in New Jersey
Dear Carl,
You are not alone. Thousands of people fear the dentists for many reasons. I applaud that you are attempting to face this fear and overcome it. The best thing that you can do is to go to the dentist when you are not in pain. A lot of our dental fear is rooted in past experiences. Look for a dentist that specializes in dental anxiety. These offices understand the fears associated with dental treatment and are ready and willing to help you. They cater to cowards and often allow extra time with patients so that you will not feel rushed and anxious. You are going to need a few gentle dentist appointments with the right dentist to rebuild your confidence. You will need to build a relationship of trust between you and the dentist or hygienist and this will take time.
Before treatment, ask them to “Show and Tell” by explaining what they will be doing and what instruments they will be using. This is to ensure that there are no surprises and helps you feel more in control. If the sounds of the office trouble you, you can bring headphones and music to listen to if you think that might help. Also bring a friend with you to the appointment for support. It is comforting to know that someone who cares is waiting for you after your appointment. If things are still too overwhelming, your dentist may suggest a mild sedative before your appointment or even nitrous oxide sedation during treatment. Nitrous oxide is sedation dentistry in the form of a gas that relaxes you while you are in the dental chair. It may be something that will help you until you get a few appointments completed and begin to feel more comfortable. With some perseverance and the right dental office you can overcome or at the very least, manage your dental fears.
This post is sponsored by Cleveland dentist Hylan Dental Care.
Tags: cater to cowards dentist, dental anxiety, dental fear, fear of the dentist, gentle dentist, gentle dentistry, laughing gas dentist, nitrous oxide, oral sedation, sedation dentist, sedation dentistry
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Friday, March 15th, 2013
I admit, I have a mega fear of the dentist. I hate needles of any kind and I have recently been informed that I need to get complete dentures. I want to be put out! Can they do this at the hospital so I can be put to sleep?
- Carl in Arizona
Carl,
It is not unheard of for a hospital to admit dental patients so they can use general anesthesia. That said, it is very expensive and not every dentist would be willing to do it. Fortunately, there are many dentists that offer sedation dentistry. There are special sedation training and certifications which enable dentists to perform teeth extractions in their own dental office. Or many dentists work with oral surgeons that offer IV sedation or general anesthesia at their office so you can be put out for the dental procedure. Going this route could end up saving you thousands of dollars. Below is some more information about the pros and cons of oral sedation, IV sedation, as well as the use of general anesthesia.
With oral sedation or what is also known as sleep dentistry:
- You won’t remember anything about the procedure
- You won’t feel anything
- You are sedated but you are still conscious. This means that you will still be able to breathe on your own.
- Popular medications used along with sedation are anti-anxiety drugs, depressants, nitrous, and even tranquilizers
- Not as expensive as general anesthesia.
IV Sedation:
- Recovery time is very short
- You are conscious and can communicate during the procedure
- Feel sleepy during appointment
- Patients are relaxed and calm, feel sleepy
- Sedation is quick
- Dosages can be adjusted and individualized
- Higher level of sedation than oral sedation
General Anesthesia:
- Unconscious, no control of muscles or other protective reflexes
- No communication during procedure
- Breathing will be done with tube to keep airway open
- Drowsiness common for longer periods of time after treatment
- Higher risk for other complications
- Costs the most out of the sedation options.
Hopefully this provides you with enough information to figure out how you want to address the extraction of your teeth in preparation for dentures. Your personal doctor and dentist have all your general health information, so discuss the best option for your specific case with them.
This post is sponsored by Cleveland dentist Hylan Dental Care.
Tags: complete dentures, conscious sedation, dental anxiety, dental fear, Dentures, fear of the dentist, IV sedation, oral sedation, sedation dentist, sedation dentistry, sleep dentist, sleep dentistry, teeth extractions
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Sunday, March 3rd, 2013
I have been putting off going to the dentist for years. Finally, my toothache has gotten to be too much. One small problem is that I am scared of the dentist. In fact, I had a panic attack at my last dentist appointment and it was so embarrassing. I have been looking into sedation dentistry. Can you tell me more about it and if it is safe?
- Rachel in Idaho
Rachel,
Many people deal with dental fear. There are dentists that focus on sedation dentistry and sincerely want to help you get the dental care you need. If you Google the term “cater to cowards dentist” you may have some luck finding one of these dentists. One that specializes in sedation will likely not make you feel bad about the condition of your teeth. They understand where you are coming from and are more focused on helping you than making you feel guilty.
Here is an idea of what you can expect with sedation dentistry or what is often referred to as sleep dentistry. The dentist will prescribe you some medication that you will be instructed to take about an hour before your appointment. It will make you feel sleepy and you probably won’t remember anything much about the dental visit. It is completely safe in an office setting because you are still conscious. This means that your natural protective reflexes like coughing and breathing will still work just like they normally do. But as an added safety precaution your vital signs will be monitored throughout the procedure to make sure everything remains stable. You will also need to arrange a ride home from your appointment because the medication will take awhile to wear off.
A tooth extraction is usually a last resort for most dentists. There are many options to replace a missing tooth, ranging from a dental bridge, a partial denture, to a dental implant.
This post is sponsored by Cleveland dentist Hylan Dental Care.
Tags: cater to cowards dentist, Dental Bridge, dental fear, dental implant, missing one tooth, missing tooth, partial denture, removable partial denture, sedation dentist, sedation dentistry, sleep dentist, sleep dentistry
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Wednesday, February 6th, 2013
I am trying to find out if every dentist will offer sedation dentistry to help with anxiety? I get pretty worked up at the thought of going to the dentist and was wondering if all dentists have this option or if I need to see a special dentist that advertises for it.
- Gentry in Ohio
Gentry,
You are totally not alone if you are scared of the dentist. Not every dentist offers sedation dentistry. But there are many dentists out there that actually build their practice and cater to cowards in helping fearful patients. If you are extremely fearful, you may want to do your homework and look around at your options. A gentle dentist uses techniques to help distract you like letting you watch movies or listen to music. Nitrous oxide is another option that may be available, which is often referred to as laughing gas. Another gentle dentistry technique is that they will also go very slowly and will stop to answer any questions you have and help you work through any discomfort.
The petrified dental patient will be lucky to even set foot in the office. Oral sedation is a completely safe and effective service that helps fearful patients get the care they need. All you have to do is take a pill about an hour before the appointment that the dentist prescribes. The medication will make you feel sleepy and it is pretty likely that you won’t remember anything about the dental procedure. Often times a very fearful patient may need a lot of work done at once. Sedation can help the dentist to do several procedures during this time which may have been difficult otherwise.
The bottom line is to have a trusting relationship with open communication. If you find the right dentist, hopefully you won’t even need sedation. But the right dentist won’t make you feel bad for how long it has been since you were in and will help you to get back into a regular routine of cleanings and office visits with the right demeanor and approach.
This post is sponsored by Cleveland dentist Hylan Dental Care.
Tags: cater to cowards dentist, conscious sedation, dental anxiety, dental fear, fear of the dentist, gentle dentist, gentle dentistry, nitrous, nitrous oxide, oral sedation, scared of the dentist, sedation dentist, sedation dentistry, sleep dentist, sleep dentistry
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Sunday, January 27th, 2013
I just went to the dentist for my first filling. I’m not going to lie, I was a little bit anxious because he told me the filling was deep. When the drilling was going on I felt a sharp “zing” several times so he decided to give me another shot. That means I had a total of three shots. Although, the pain wasn’t really bad it just made me anticipate more pain. The dentist ended up leaving some of the decay and putting in a temporary filling and told me that I need a root canal. Do you think I really need to get a root canal or maybe they are over treating me because I felt some sharp pain?
- Jerry in Louisiana
Jerry,
Having to be told you need a root canal when you are only expecting a filling is a bit unnerving. The typical treatment plan when you need to have a filling is to get x-rays because the dentist can usually tell a lot from the x-ray. There is always a possibility that the x-ray may not reveal the need for a root canal and it can be discovered during the drilling. This is because the dentist may have had to do more drilling than what was first anticipated on the x-ray. What has likely happened to you is that during the drilling process the dentist realized that the decay has reached the pulp or nerve center of the tooth. This section is called the pulp chamber and it is also possible that you required more numbing shots because an infection may have already been starting. It is sometimes more difficult to numb the tooth when this happens.
Try not to stress about the root canal treatment. It is more complex than a filling and takes longer but is a routine treatment. There is nothing to be concerned about. Pretty much what is going to happen is that the decay will be removed and they will also remove the nerves inside the tooth root. Then the roots are sanitized and filled with some dental material. This process seals off the root section of the tooth. Then you will likely be prescribed an antibiotic to take care of the tooth infection. After the root canal treatment has been completed, you will need a dental crown. This will protect the tooth from any future breaking because there is no longer a blood flow to the tooth since the roots have been removed. The crown provides extra strength and protection.
If you are extremely anxious or nervous, you can ask your dentist about sedation dentistry. Oral sedation simply involves taking a pill before your appointment. Or if you want something stronger than Novocain but don’t want to be knocked out, you may be a candidate for nitrous oxide.
This post is sponsored by Cleveland dentist Hylan Dental Care.
Tags: dental anxiety, dental crown, dental fear, nitrous oxide, porcelain crown, root canal, root canal treatment, sedation dentist, sedation dentistry, sleep dentist, sleep dentistry, tooth infection
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Wednesday, December 19th, 2012
I am a chicken when it comes to going to the dentist. I don’t even like getting my teeth cleaned, let alone having any other treatment done. I’ve heard of sedation dentistry. Is it safe? Can I get it to have a cavity filled?
- Jenny in Arizona
Jenny,
Sedation dentistry or what is often called sleep dentistry is completely safe. It simply involves taking a pill before your dental appointment. It is much better to treat your cavity sooner than later, before it turns into a more serious problem. Oral sedation has helped hundreds of patients deal with their dental fear and anxiety.
Although, to have a cavity filled it may be a bit extreme. There are dentists out there that place an emphasis on fearful patients. There are many gentle dentistry techniques that can be used that may be helpful. It sounds like you have already tried nitrous oxide gas. But many dentists offer music or movies to help distract you so you don’t hear what is going on. And with nitrous and Novocain you can still communicate with your dentist. You can tell them when you are uncomfortable so they can proceed more slowly or administer you a higher dose of nitrous.
If you are petrified, sedation can be used in an office setting and is completely safe. This is because your protective reflexes like coughing and breathing are still fully functional. After your appointment it simply feels as if no time has passed, or like you have been asleep. You are indifferent to what is going on around you and likely will not remember anything. You will be monitored throughout the appointment as a safety precaution.
Hopefully this helped to answer your questions.
This post is sponsored by Brook Park dentist Hylan Dental Care.
Tags: conscious sedation, dental anxiety, dental fear, gentle dentist, gentle dentistry, oral sedation, scared of the dentist, sedation dentist, sedation dentistry, sleep dentist, sleep dentistry
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Wednesday, November 21st, 2012
Let me start off by saying that I really don’t like going to the dentist. And last week I noticed that my tooth felt kind of sharp. When I checked it out in the mirror, it appears that a small portion of the tooth is gone. I have never had a filling before and I’m terrified of needles. It isn’t hurting me or anything so I just try not to eat on that side. Do you know if a temporary filling can be done?
- Natalie in Virgina
Natalie,
You are not alone. Did you know that there are millions of Americans that get anxious about dentistry. There are dentists out there that use gentle dentistry techniques and sedation dentistry for fearful patients. Sedation dentistry is safe and simple and many patients will tell you that they don’t remember anything at all about the appointment. You are conscious but will be put into a sleepy, indifferent state. Oral sedation has helped many people deal with and manage their fear of the dentist and only involves taking a pill prior to your dental appointment. If you are just a bit anxious, nitrous oxide is a milder form of sedation dentistry. It is a relaxant gas that is breathed in during your appointment and may work for you.
But to answer your question about the broken tooth, it all depends on the severity of your case. A composite filling may work to fill the space. Or if more than half of the tooth is damaged than a dental crown may be the more appropriate treatment. It doesn’t sound like you need to schedule an emergency dentist appointment if you are not in pain. But this issue should be taken care of as soon as practical. It sounds like you may be a good sedation dentistry candidate.
This post is sponsored by Parma dentist Hylan Dental Care.
Tags: broken tooth, chipped tooth, dental crown, dental emergency, dental fear, emergency dentist, fear of the dentist, gentle dentist, nitrous oxide, oral sedation, porcelain crown, sedation dentist, sedation dentistry
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Monday, November 12th, 2012
I’ve been on the search for a new dentist and tried a new one out today. I am very unhappy with the appointment. I had to wait for over 30 minutes and when it was finally by turn, she was very rough during the checkup. My previous dentist would hurt me a little bit but would be more gentle when I told her about it. Today I even yelled out, “ouch” in the middle of the cleaning. She didn’t even stop or ask if I was okay. Then when I checked out, I was charged for a filling. This angered me because I didn’t even know the dentist was doing a filling, I wanted a cleaning. Then, after I got home I had pain on the opposite side from where the filling is. Do you know if it’s difficult to change dentists? And how long do I need to wait to call in about this pain?
- Michelle in Kansas
Michelle,
So sorry to hear about your negative experience. If the pain does not subside in the next couple of days, you need to call back in to let them know about it. Your jaw may be sore or tender from begin open or in an uncomfortable position during the appointment. Sounds like a lot of miscommunication though. You need to consider seeing a new dentist. This dentist should behave ethically and willingly transfer over your dental records / notes to the new dentist.
There are many other dentists out there that are very compassionate and understanding, especially if you are anxious or deal with any kind of dental fear. There are many gentle dentist techniques available today and many dentists actually cater to cowards with their approach. If you are really scared or nervous, then you may even consider sedation dentistry. This simply involves taking a pill before your appointment. Many say they can’t even remember their appointment after it’s done. Or if you are just a bit anxious, maybe nitrous oxide can help you relax. Bottom line is that you need to find a dentist you can trust and that will stop and be more attentive to your concerns and needs.
This post is sponsored by Cleveland dentist Hylan Dental Care.
Tags: cater to cowards, cater to cowards dentist, dental anxiety, dental fear, gentle dentist, gentle dentistry, scared of the dentist, sedation dentist, sedation dentistry
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Wednesday, November 7th, 2012
Hello,
I am just trying to find out more information about a root canal treatment. Do you know how long I can wait to have this done?
- Paulette in Nebraska
Paulette,
It is difficult to answer your question without having seen your tooth. If it is causing you pain, you probably need to get it taken care of immediately. Even if the pain has subsided or gone away it does not mean that the infection has been taken care of. There are many emergency dentists that will get you in right away. And if you are at all scared or anxious, many dentists also offer sedation dentistry.
If you are dealing with an abscess or what looks kind of like a pimple near your tooth root, than you also need to get in right away. This means the infection is still active and a root canal treatment needs to be done.
If the tooth isn’t causing you any pain and hasn’t for a fair amount of time than you may be able to put it off for awhile. Sometimes patients get what is called an arrested infection that affects the body, yet doesn’t seem to cause much in the way of a toothache. For example, many years may pass without a patient being aware of the cause of the infection. And when the root canal treatment iss finally done, it can improve the overall health of the patient.. You just don’t want to mess around with any kind of infection. What happens in the tooth is that the infection can slowly decay the tooth and it may not be salvageable or it very well could spread to other areas of the body.
This post is sponsored by Cleveland dentist Hylan Dental Care.
Tags: dental emergency, emergency dentist, infected tooth, root canal, root canal treatment, sedation dentist, sedation dentistry, toothache
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