Most people don’t enjoy going to the dentist. In fact, some people are even scared of the dentist. Do you ever get anxious before going to the dentist? If so, you don’t need to be embarrassed. Dental phobia is an extremely common condition. In fact, it is estimated that as many as 15% of Americans purposefully avoid going to the dentist, because they have an irrational fear of needing dental work.
Levels of phobia vary from person to person, and while one patient may be fine during routine exams with a little fear over cavity fillings, some patients might experience the symptoms associated with severe phobias, like nausea, dizziness, sweating, shaking, vomiting and panic attacks.
Sedation is something that is used across many medical fields and has recently made its way into the dental field. Sedation is an ideal way for patients with extreme anxiety, nervousness or full-blown phobia of the dentist to finally receive the preventative examinations and restorative treatments they need to maintain a lifetime of healthy teeth and gums.
Sedation dentistry is considered to be a low risk when it is administered by the right dentist. In fact, sedation dentistry isn’t learned in standard dentistry training.
With that being said, sedation dentistry should only be performed by a dental professional with specialist training and experience in the field. Therefore, it is important that any patient needing sedation dentistry should research their dentist, making sure they’re qualified to administer the treatment. Dr. Ajmo at PGA Dentistry in West Palm Beach, FL is one of the only dentists in the area with board certification in sedation dentistry.
Who Should Get Sedation Dentistry
As we mentioned earlier, sedation dentistry is usually recommended for patients who have extreme anxiety or phobia of the dentist. There are also other factors outside of dental anxiety that make you a good candidate for sedation dentistry. These include instances where a patient:
- Has chronic jaw pain
- Has physical limitation preventing them from holding their jaw at a certain angle, such as neck and back problems
- Has a strong gag reflex
- Needs to have dental work completed in a very short time frame
- Is unable to sit still
- Is not as affected by numbness as they should be
- Has a desire to have their dental work completed when they are in a heightened state of relaxation
Patients Who Might Not Be Candidates For Sedation Dentistry
Unfortunately, although sedation is suitable for a large percentage of the population, not everyone is a suitable candidate. Your medical history, current medications and the extent of the treatment you require will have an impact on whether sedation is an option for you.
It will also depend on the depth of sedation that you require. Dr. Ajmo will carry out a complete and comprehensive consultation with you to help you make a decision on whether you are a viable candidate for sedation dentistry.
Learn More About Sedation Dentistry at PGA Dentistry
Are you considering sedation for a treatment with Dr. Ajmo at PGA Dentistry? Call PGA Dentistry today at and ask about our sedation options for cosmetic treatments.