Patients ask, “What are the types and uses of sedation dentistry in Fort Lauderdale, FL?”

Dr. Yolanda Cintron and her team at Go Natural Dentistry in Fort Lauderdale, FL want your visit to be a pleasant one. We understand that many patients have phobias about visiting the dentist and often avoid regular dental appointments due to their fears. Patients can now rest assured that sedation dentistry is an option to safely provide patients with relief from their dental anxieties while maintaining good oral health.

A phobia is an intense, unreasonable fear. Those with dental phobias often avoid dental treatments even for years at a time. Avoiding routine dental care can lead to problems such as infections, cavities, pain, or broken teeth. The patient’s oral and overall wellness are affected.

At Go Natural Dentistry, we provide compassionate, gentle dental care. We utilize state-of-the-art facilities and materials to provide patients with top dental care. For patients needing sedation, we offer nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Each provides a different level of sedation so the most appropriate method is chosen for each individual patient. The goal is to provide a calm experience and environment in which patients can relax while protecting their smiles.

Purposes of sedation dentistry

Although many people think sedation dentistry is only for patients with a phobia or significant fear, sedative medication has additional uses. For patients with fears, the medication puts individuals at ease so they can relax during treatments. The medication keeps the patient calm. Additional uses include:

• Calming young patients or those who have trouble staying still for appointments
• Relieving individuals who have a low pain threshold or who fear needles
• Treating patients with sensitive teeth or with a strong gag reflex
• Keeping patients comfortable and still when they need a significant amount of dental work

Types of sedation dentistry

Dr. Cintron offers different types of sedation and can chose the most appropriate type for individual patients. For many patients, nitrous oxide or laughing gas is enough to take the edge off. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas. Patients inhale the gas through a small mask and it takes effect immediately. The levels of the medication are controlled by our experienced team throughout the entire procedure. Nitrous oxide allows patients to remain awake and responsive during the treatment. Once the procedure is over, the sedative is stopped and 100% oxygen is given to remove the nitrous oxide from the body. The effects leave the body quickly. Patients can resume normal activities following the treatment without any lingering effects.

Oral conscious sedation is available for patients with slightly higher levels of anxiety. With this treatment, the patient swallows an oral medication as prescribed by the dentist. The medication is taken prior to the appointment as it takes about an hour to be effective. Oral conscious sedation produces a relaxed but drowsy effect. Patients are calm but awake during the procedure so they are able to communicate with the dentist. This sedation requires pre-planning as it takes longer to be effective and the effects may linger. A designated driver and someone to assist with the post-operative care are needed.

We also offer IV sedation. This method of sedation dentistry is only used for those with the most extreme anxieties or for patients who need extensive dental work. This is not the same as general anesthesia in which a patient would be completely asleep. Instead, IV conscious sedation places patients in a deeply relaxed, semi-awake state of reduced anxiety. Some patients have no recollection of the procedure which helps ease anxieties for future appointments. Pre-planning and a designated driver are also needed with IV sedation.

Safe, individualized sedation dentistry

Regardless of the type used, sedation dentistry is safe in the hands of our experienced dental team. There are few risks involved. We follow strict licensing requirements in order to offer these treatments. Our experienced team reviews your medical history. The proper sedation dosage is administered based upon your individual needs, including your health and age. The goal is to provide a calm experience and environment in which patients can relax while protecting the health and beauty of their smiles.

Don’t let dental anxiety interfere with your dental care. Sedation dentistry can relieve your stress and maintain the health of your teeth and gums.

Contact Dr. Yolanda Cintron and the team at Go Natural Dentistry for an appointment. Call (855) 381-6001.

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