Why You Should Request Sedation During Implant Surgery
If you're getting a dental implant, your dentist is going to thoroughly numb your treatment area with lidocaine injections, so you shouldn't feel a thing. But for some men and women, numbing just the treatment area isn't enough. When you're talking to your dentist about implant surgery, ask about sedation dentistry options, too. With so many different types of sedation available, you should be able to completely relax during your treatment.
You Have Chronic Pain
For arthritis sufferers or anyone who has chronic pain, lying back in that dental chair for a lengthy dental implant surgery can be uncomfortable. Sedation can help you relax, so you're not so tense or in discomfort during your procedure.
While your dentist is happy to stop and let you take breaks as needed, this can make your overall implant surgery take even longer. By opting for sedation, including an oral sedation pill, you're more likely to be comfortable sitting still. This way your dentist can get your treatment completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.
You Have Dental Phobia
Some dental patients have a dental phobia that's so severe, they won't even schedule a visit for a routine cleaning and exam. The only time their dentist sees them is if they have severe decay, a fractured tooth, or other types of urgent dental issue.
If you have a severe phobia of the dentist or are stressed about potential discomfort from the dental implant procedure, sedation might be right for you. You can get light sedation, such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), help ease your anxiety for complex dental implant procedures or even for routine cleanings.
You Don't Want to Know What's Going On
In other cases, men and women really just don't want to know what's going on during their dental implant procedure. Maybe you don't like the sensation of the drill, or you have a hard time seeing your own blood.
No matter what your concern may be, sedation dentistry options can benefit you. Talk with your dentist about stronger types of sedation, including oral or intravenous (IV) sedation. These treatments are known for helping you completely zone out while you're at the dentist's office.
While they're not designed to put you to sleep, many patients either become so relaxed they do fall asleep, or they simply have no recollection of their procedure afterward. You might even be a candidate for general anesthesia if your dental implant procedure is a little more complex than normal, or if you're having multiple dental implants placed. Just make sure you have an open and honest conversation with your dentist about your concerns.
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