Between 9 to 15 percent of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to anxiety over dental procedures, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Individuals who suffer from dental phobia are generally aware that their worries are exaggerated, but they are still held back from dental visits by those fears.
At TLC Dental Center in Cherry Hill, NJ, Dr. Julie Kardon (a qualified sedation dentist) believes that fears or anxiety should never keep patients from receiving the important dental care they need. That is one reason why our office offers oral conscious sedation.
What Is Oral Sedation?
Oral sedation can deliver minimal to moderate sedation levels. If you choose the calming benefits of oral sedation, you will be instructed to take a prescription sedative around one hour before the procedure. Some medications need to be taken even earlier. Once the effects have set in, you will be awake but very relaxed. Some patients are so relaxed they even nap during the procedure!
What Causes Dental Phobia?
There are many potential reasons why someone may suffer from dental phobia. A few of these include:
- Fear of discomfort or pain: Many people fear that their dental procedures will cause pain. This fear may stem from misleading representations of dental procedures or past incidents. Advances in modern dentistry mean that procedures involve minimal discomfort. Combining local anesthesia with oral sedation can leave you will little or no memory of the procedure.
- Fear of injections: Some patients fear the prick of a needle. While some dental offices offer IV sedation, Dr. Kardon prefers oral sedation because it can be administered via an easy-to-swallow pill.
- Feelings of helplessness: Putting your health and wellbeing in the hands of someone else can leave certain people with the feeling of a loss of control. Dr. Kardon understands this. This is where her compassionate and caring personality comes in. You will be informed of every step along the way. Dr. Kardon will not administer any drug or treatment without your expressed consent.
- Personal space sensitivity: Some patients simply feel uncomfortable having someone work closely near their face. We can address this insecurity by inducing a feeling of calm and well-being throughout your procedure.
Benefits of Working With a Sedation Dentist
Not all of the patients who take oral conscious sedatives at our Cherry Hill dental clinic have dental phobia. Another perfectly acceptable reason to undergo sedation dentistry is to minimize involuntary body movements or fidgeting. If you are undergoing a procedure that takes half an hour or longer and you know that you will have trouble sitting still, oral sedation can help make your treatment more relaxing. Dr. Kardon may also be able to perform your procedure more quickly if you are completely relaxed, meaning oral sedation may cut down on your overall procedure length.
Many patients report little to no memory of their procedure following the use of oral sedation. The effects of the prescription sedative can take several hours to fully wear off so please remember to have someone available to drive you home following your dental procedure.
Learn More About the Benefits of Oral Sedation in Cherry Hill, NJ
Are you interested in learning more about the benefits of oral sedation? Contact a team member at (856) 667-1001. TLC Dental Center has been serving the Cherry Hill, NJ community for over 15 years. We can help you experience a relaxed and pain-free dental procedure.