Are There Risks Involved with Sedation Dentistry?
Approximately one-seventh of the population in the United States has dental anxiety. In some cases, this anxiety can prevent patients from getting the regular dental care they need to continue having healthy and strong teeth. If a dental problem is allowed to exist for long enough, serious infections and other health problems can occur, especially if a patient does not periodically see a dentist.
To combat these problems, many dentists in Round Rock and other areas are giving their patients minimal to moderate levels of sedation at the patients’ request. For many dental patients, this makes the procedures, whether they are simple dental cleanings or more complicated and possibly painful procedures, more bearable. However, many people are wondering: is sedation dentistry safe?
Understanding the Risks of Sedation Dentistry
There are risks associated with any type of sedation, but, the stronger the sedative, the more likely it is that problems will occur. In the past, dentists in Round Rock and the surrounding areas were not required to have much training in sedation before they could offer sedation dentistry at their offices, but, after several accidents, the requirements have become much stricter.
Most dentists will only offer mild sedatives or anti-anxiety drugs to patients, ensuring that the patient is still conscious, though most patients don’t remember the procedure. This decreases the risks of sedation. It should be noted, however, that, with trained specialists in sedation, the likelihood that an accident or emergency could happen is very, very low, even with general anesthesia.
Weighing the Risks and the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Now that the American Dental Association has guidelines in place that require additional training for dentists in Round Rock and other areas who plan to offer sedation dentistry, it has become a widespread practice, one that is generally safe for people of ages. Truthfully, putting off a dental emergency or a time-sensitive dental procedure because of dental anxiety can be much more risky than taking advantage of sedation dentistry.
Now that the American Dental Association has guidelines in place that require additional training for dentists in Round Rock and other areas who plan to offer sedation dentistry, it has become a widespread practice, one that is generally safe for people of ages. Truthfully, putting off a dental emergency or a time-sensitive dental procedure because of dental anxiety can be much more risky than taking advantage of sedation dentistry.Now that you have more information about sedation dentistry, you can make the decision that is best for your current situation!
