Patients with dental anxiety are usually given oral or IV sedation to help them relax and save them from pain they would otherwise experience when wide awake. But not all cases require a patient to be fully sedated. Sedation is just one of several options we use at Dr. Ron’s office to give patients a painless dental experience.
Local Anesthesia
In most cases, your dentist will use local anesthesia to manage pain. Local anesthetic is effective and less risky because it is limited to a small area and does not circulate throughout the entire body. The patient is also conscious and able to give feedback when the procedure becomes too uncomfortable, allowing the dentist to adjust the dosage if necessary.
Intravenous or IV Sedation
However, having a conscious patient is not always ideal. Being wide awake can lead to higher levels of anxiety and tension. Tense patients may clench their jaws and make it hard for the dentist to access the mouth. Others react to perceived rather than actual pain. Anesthetic numbs all tissues involved in the procedure, but fear of pain may cause some patients to shut their mouths when the dentist is about to make an incision.
If local anesthesia is not enough, the dentist may put a patient to sleep through intravenous or IV sedation. Once the patient is unconscious, a dentist can proceed. Your dentist ensures that you stay unconscious during the entire procedure. Not only would it be extremely painful for patients to wake up in the middle of dental work, but the reflex of clamping one’s jaw shut may cause injury because of dental instruments in the mouth.
Whether you need the One Day Smile Solution or dental implants, Dr. Receveur and his highly-skilled team at New Albany Implants ensure a comfortable and painless experience. Visit us today or call to book an appointment.