If there’s anyone in your family with special needs, then you know how important it is to find a practice that’s able to accommodate them. One thing you can look for is whether they offer a variety of sedation options. While dental sedation is often recommended as a solution for dental anxiety, it can also help all kinds of patients get the care that their smiles deserve. Here’s how your loved ones with special needs could benefit from dental sedation.
What is Dental Sedation?
Depending on what practice you go to, you may have multiple forms of dental sedation to choose from, such as:
- Nitrous Oxide Sedation: A small mask is placed over the patient’s nose, allowing them to breathe in the sedative. Nitrous oxide is known to put patients in a relaxed, euphoric state, and it typically wears off within minutes after it stops being administered.
- Oral Conscious Sedation: This typeof sedation involves taking a pill at least an hour before the appointment begins. Oral conscious sedation often leaves patients so relaxed that they don’t clearly remember what happened during their treatment.
- IV Sedation: The sedative is delivered straight into the patient’s bloodstream. This approach gives your dental team the ability to adjust the sedation level as needed throughout your treatment.
Why is Dental Sedation Often a Good Choice for Patients with Special Needs?
Many patients with special needs have a hard time sitting still for extended periods, which can make it more difficult for them to get even the most routine dental treatments. However, dental sedation can often help them stay relaxed, thus keeping them still while their smiles are being worked on.
Additionally, it’s not uncommon for people with special needs to feel highly anxious about visiting the dentist, but dental sedation may be able to put their fears to rest. Nitrous oxide can help with milder cases of dental anxiety. Oral conscious sedation and IV sedation may be the better choices for more severe fears.
Is Dental Sedation Safe for Patients with Special Needs?
The various forms of dental sedation are generally considered safe for a wide variety of people, and that includes those with special needs. Furthermore, you can count on your dentist to carefully review any relevant medical history in order to determine whether your loved one is a candidate for a specific type of dental sedation.
It’s important to make sure that everyone in your family has their dental needs met, no matter what their situation is. Call your dentist to ask about their options for sedation as well as any other ways they can help patients with special needs.
About the Author
Dr. Walter Mick has been bringing comprehensive dental care to Reynoldsburg for more than 30 years. He is a respected member of various dental organizations, including the Ohio Dental Association. He’s proud to offer a variety of sedation options to help his patients stay comfortable in the dental chair. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Mick, visit his website or call (614) 864-4618.