The Advantages of Sedation Dentistry
At Burke Parkway Dental we are proud to be the top dental office in Burke, Virginia! Making sure you have a happy smile and healthy teeth are a top priority here at Burke Parkway Dental and we are dedicated to making sure each of our patients leave happy and satisfied. In order to provide all of our patients with nothing but the best possible dental care they can receive, we offer multiple procedures to guarantee your teeth remain perfect. Our talented staff is happy to offer general dental services, cosmetic dentistry, and advanced dentistry. In addition to these procedures we also offer sedation dentistry to our patients. Are you unfamiliar with sedation dentistry? Allow us to explain this popular service we offer at Burke Parkway Dental.
What is the purpose of sedation dentistry? When patients visit the dentist, it is crucial that they remain relaxed in order to ensure a successful procedure. If a patient is anxious or afraid about or during a treatment, it will be more difficult for our staff to perform their job to the best of their ability that you are scheduled to receive. Anxious patients will make the treatment harder to complete and can even put you at risk during or after treatment if something goes wrong. About one in seven people suffer from a form of anxiety when they visit a dentist so we are aware that this apprehension and nervousness is perfectly normal, we just want to make sure you get the best treatment you require and that’s where sedation dentistry comes in.
What is sedation dentistry? There are two forms of sedation we offer.
The first type of sedation is minimal sedation (anxiolysis). The technique during this procedure involves patients arriving an hour before their scheduled procedure in order to be administered a sedative pill. This pill will make the patient feel very relaxed but still able to follow directions and respond to questions. Occasionally this technique causes amnesia resulting in patients not remembering the procedure. Patients will need to be accompanied by a companion, possibly receive a mix of oxygen and nitrous oxide depending on sedation needs, and must recover in a waiting room before they are allowed to leave.
The second type of sedation we can carry out is moderate sedation (conscious sedation). This is a higher form of sedation that requires an intravenous drip to be inserted into the hand and arm that will deliver the medication to the patient. During the procedure the breathing, blood circulation, and heart activity of the patient will be monitored. This procedure is very effective with rapid onset and recovery time. Most patients won’t even remember the procedure taking place. This form of sedation also has requirements including being accompanied by a companion or caretaker, fasting the night before the procedure, and must recover in a waiting room before being allowed to leave.
Our talented team here at Burke Parkway Dental are always ready to help. If you feel sedation dentistry is right for you then please visit our website www.burkeparkwaydental.com and schedule a consultation. We’ll be happy to help you find the right treatment for you. We hope to hear from you soon!
S. Carpenter