It’s safe to say that few people look forward coming to the dentist. But for some, the idea of a visit to the dentist creates such fear and anxiety, that they may not go at all until they find themselves in severe pain. As a dental professional, Dr. Abelar understands these feelings and offers options for his patients that experience anxiety.
Oral Sedation Medications
The use of oral sedation medications is as simple as taking a pill that will help you stay relaxed before, during and after your dental treatment. Some patients fall asleep during their procedure because they become so relaxed. The best part is that many don’t even remember the procedure after it’s over so they are able to go on with their daily lives with no recollection of the anxiety-inducing situation.
IV Sedation
If the first level of sedation isn’t enough to calm the anxiety of a patient, Dr. Abelar offers IV sedation. In this case, most patients do sleep through their procedure. The ones that don’t are comfortable in a “semi-awake” state of relaxation.
General Anesthesia
Because those who experience dental anxiety often go without treatment for many years, they often need the most amount of work done to return their mouths to a healthy place. For these patients, general anesthesia can literally be life changing, especially if they are in extreme pain from decay and infection. Dr. Abelar can complete months’ worth of treatments in one simple visit with the use of general anesthesia so that the patient doesn’t have to suffer through multiple visits.
An estimated 15% of Americans avoid dental visits because of fear and anxiety. The first step to overcoming these fears or finding treatment options that respect them is to talk to your dentist about your options. To find out if you’re a candidate for sedation call the office today at 858-866-9692.
