Sedation Dentistry & Dealing with Dental Phobia in Salem, OR
Do you fear the dentist? You’re not alone. Dental phobia is a common phenomenon, affecting children and adults across the country, including patients here in Salem, Oregon. As many as 15% of the U.S. population avoids visiting their dentist’s office due to dental phobia.
It’s not uncommon for patients who fail to attend their regularly scheduled dental appointments to suffer from much higher rates of dental decay, pain, unsightly teeth, and even tooth loss. Neglected teeth and gums have also been linked to a variety of serious medical conditions, including: heart disease, respiratory infections and even dementia.
Overcoming dental phobia is not easy. At Sunnyslope Dental and Implant Center in Salem, OR, Dr. Caleb Coombs strives to make your experience at our office as calm and relaxing as possible. We offer an array of therapeutic techniques, including sedation dentistry.
What is Dental Phobia?
In short, dental phobia mean “fear of the dentist.” However, there is a spectrum of severity when it comes to dental phobia. Some patients have dental anxiety with mild and manageable symptoms. On the other hand, some patients suffer from extreme cases, which can cause the patient to have a panic attack, vomit, or even pass out. Dental phobia can have an array of symptoms. Common symptoms of dental anxiety, include: sweating, nausea, shaking, dizziness and feeling extremely hot or cold. More extreme signs of phobia can include laughing and hysteria.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is the practise of using medication to help patients to relax through dental check-ups or treatments.
Types of Sedation
There are multiple levels of sedation available. During your initial consultation, Dr. Coombs will discuss all of your options and determine which type of sedation is right for you based on your level of fear and the type of work that you need carried out. In some cases, it is not possible to know what treatment is needed, and so it may be necessary to undertake a second visit under a different type of sedation.
IV Sedation for Moderate Dental Phobia
Patients who have IV (or intravenous) sedation often find that they have a slight awareness of the procedures being carried out, but can remember very little after. This type of sedation is used for minor dental procedures, like cavity fillings, veneers, or crowns.
General Anesthetic for Severe Dental Phobia
General anesthetic is the deepest level of sedation offered. It is usually used in anxious patients, when extensive dental treatment is required. Under general anesthetic, the patient is completely asleep, can feel no pain and will have no recollection of their dental surgery.
After waking up from the sedation, you may find that you are unsteady on your feet and slur your words. For this reason, patients who come to Dr. Coombs for sedation dentistry are asked to arrange for a friend or family member to drive them home after their appointment and stay with them for at least 24 hours.
Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry isn’t just for patients with anxiety or a fear of the dentist. It is often a suitable solution for people who:
Have extremely sensitive teeth
Have a strong gag reflex
Find it hard to hold their mouth open
Are unable to sit still for a procedure
Have a very low pain tolerance
Need extensive work completed during one appointment
Choosing Sunnyslope Dental and Implant Center in Salem, OR for Sedation Dentistry
At Sunnyslope Dental and Implant Center, we are committed to your oral health and providing the highest quality patient care. Dr. Caleb Coombs is empathetic towards patients with dental anxiety and understands the stressful nature of anxiety and dental phobia. We understand the urgency of dental visits, when you avoid appointments due to fear. Want to learn more about how sedation dentistry can help with your fear of dentist? Call our Salem office today at 503-966-8400.
