One of the most positive aspects of sedation dentistry is the relief of anxiety for some of our most nervous patients. This allows them to comfortably go through their procedures, and removes a big reason people avoid the dentist. Anxiety manifests on a spectrum.

While in many situations amnesia might not be the most desirable outcome, in sedation dentistry it is very desirable. The phobia many people have of the dentist generally stems from an unpleasant experience in childhood, and the fear generally grows with each additional visit.

A gag reflex is a good thing. The throat needs to be able to expel any intrusive, foreign object. However, if a patient is completely aware while a dentist is working in his mouth, the gag reflex can be a hindrance. Sometimes the dentist needs to go deep inside the oral cavity, and the gag reflex prevents that.

It’s understandable that some people have fears of the dentist. No one likes tooth or gum pain. With sedation dentistry, the pain is completely removed. The brain cannot register pain while under the influence of powerful sedatives and anesthetics. Everyone wants pain-free dental care. It’s one of the many reasons that sedation dentistry is so popular currently.

The dentist will be able to work faster and more efficiently, because he doesn’t have to worry about your reaction to the procedure. This means he will be able to get you out of the chair and on the road to recovery that much quicker.

So if you have been putting off having some much-needed dental work because you’re a little nervous, you are likely a good candidate for sedation dentistry.