Sedation Dentistry (Sleep Dentistry)

Are You Fear of the Dentist?

For many, fear of the dentist and dental procedures is very real. Studies show that as many as 30 percent of American adults avoid going to the dentist due to fear, extreme discomfort or the inability to become sufficiently numb through injections. These fears can turn normal dental problems — ones that are easily addressed with non-invasive procedures — into serious health conditions simply because those conditions are left to fester.

Infections, gum disease, tooth pain, cavities and eventual tooth loss can be resolved early at your regularly scheduled dentist check-up at Bronx Dental Spa. But if you refuse to visit Dr. Victoria Kushensky in Bronx, NY, those problems can escalate into issues that affect your overall health and well-being.

Your family dentist wants to find a way to provide you with an anxiety-free experience while he maintains your dental health. The Bronx, NY team at Bronx Dental Spa works to keep you calm and comfortable during every dental procedure. Sedation is available for simple cleanings, root canals and implant surgery. If sedation dentistry means you’ll get proper dental care — just ask for it.

The Advantages of Sleep Dentistry

There are many reasons for needing sedation dentistry. People who may benefit include:

• Young children or handicapped adults who are unable to remain seated or who can’t sit still for any length of time
• Individuals with a low pain tolerance
• Someone with a very sensitive gag reflex
• Anyone with a high level of fear, panic or anxiety regarding dentists, a condition called dental phobia
• Someone with extremely sensitive teeth
• An individual who must undergo a lengthy dental procedure, such as for restorative dentistry procedures

When dealing with anxiety, finding ways to manage and even forget about your fear is better than ignoring your teeth. Some ways that sleep dentistry helps you get over your anxiety include:

• Having little or no memory of the procedure. This works best if you trust your dentist enough to be able to allow the medication to take full effect.
• Being able to endure longer procedures with less discomfort
• Becoming sufficiently numb to handle a procedure when other local anesthetics, such as Novocain injections, don’t work well enough to numb your mouth effectively
• Allowing your Bronx family cosmetic and implant dentist to devote her full concentration on the procedure, rather than worrying about your comfort

The Types of Sleep Dentistry Available

There are four main types of sleep or sedation dentistry. Understanding your concerns helps Dr. Victoria Kushensky, your Bronx, NY dentist, decide which works best for you. Choices include:

1. Minimal sedation is the mildest form of sedation. It requires you to wear a mask over your nose and mouth while nitrous oxide is administered, making you relaxed and calm. This sedation can wear off quickly, so it’s typically used for shorter procedures. You’re able to drive home afterward.
2. Moderate sedation provides you with a deeper relaxation. You may slur your words and have little memory of the procedure. This is administered intravenously or with oral medication. It takes affect quickly. Dr. Kushensky can easily manipulate the amount you need for your comfort. If you’re undergoing a deep cleaning, insertion of dental implant posts or an extraction, this option is appropriate.
3. Deep sedation is a deeper relaxation with extreme drowsiness. You’ll probably sleep through the procedure and be very disoriented and groggy afterward. This form of sedation is common for complicated wisdom teeth extractions, and it requires that you have someone drive you home from the dentist’s office.
4. General anesthesia may be necessary if you must have a lengthy procedure or your dental phobia is severe. You’re completely unconscious during the entire procedure, so you’ll need assistance to get home. Have someone nearby for the rest of the day. Sinus lifts, bone grafts and gum graftssometimes require this level of sedation.

Concerns and Risks of Sedation Dentistry

Some insurance policies don’t cover the cost of the anesthesia, so you may have to pay out-of-pocket if it isn’t required to do the work. And not everyone is a good candidate for sleep dentistry. Sedation dentistry may not be for you if:

• You’ve had issues with anesthesia or sedation.
• You’re obese.
• You have medical conditions that rule out anesthesia.

With sleep dentistry, most people report little or no memory of a procedure or believe that it lasted just a few minutes. This temporary memory loss considerably decreases feelings of anxiety and fear. Rather than avoid your obligations to your dental health, talk to Dr. Victoria Kushensky at Bronx Dental Spa in central NY to find out if sedation dentistry is right for you. Contact us today for an appointment.