Vero Beach Dentists Who Utilize Sedation Dentistry
Conway & Conway Family Dentistry |
Vero Beach Dental Care
A sedation dentist can provide a sedative as part of dental treatment for patients who need such extra care, whether due to a
phobia or a medical condition, or for a child or elderly person. The sedation methods most commonly used are inhalation anesthesia,
oral conscious sedation, general anesthesia, and intravenous (IV) sedation.
What to Look for in a Sedation Dentist
Today there are many dentists promoting "sedation dentistry," but an exact definition of the term " sedation dentist"
does not exist. The local anesthesia that's been used for decades (where the doctor injects the patient with a syringe
of Novocaine) could be considered "sedation," but that's not really the type of sedation that many people are looking for.
Some people would just rather not be conscious when they're in a dentist's chair. In fact, a very common desire for a sedation
dentist is based on the dental fears and phobias that many people have toward getting dental treatment, whether for minor
problems or more extensive treatments for root canal work, full mouth reconstruction, or gum disease. It's been estimated
that 9 to 15 percent of adults in the United States avoid having dental work done because of their fear of the dentist.
The fear can range from mild revulsion to near hysteria due to previous trauma. A qualified sedation dentist can be a godsend
for these patients.
Keep in mind the following issues to discuss with a sedation dentist:
* Is the dentist experienced at sedation? Get the details. Is he or she affiliated with any local hospitals?
* What types of patients does the sedation dentist treat routinely? If you're not the kind of patient seen regularly in that practice, you may want to keep looking.
* What type(s) of sedation does this dentist offer? Sedation options are definitely not "one-size-fits-all," and they're not interchangeable with each other.
* Does this sedation dentist have partnerships with dental specialists such as prosthodontists, periodontists, and endodontists to make sure that all of your dental needs can be met? Can he or she have such specialists treat you while you're under sedation? Could treatments be combined to reduce the number of appointments necessary?
* For your child: Is this dentist considered a pediatric sedation dentist? The same questions as above apply.
* Can this sedation dentist work with your insurance plan?
