Relaxation Dentistry

Did you know that an estimated 40 million Americans avoid dental care because of fear and anxiety? Without regular trips to the dentist, your smile's brilliance may diminish and your oral health can suffer. Relaxation dentistry, a term that describes the methods used to manage patient pain and anxiety, allows dentist to keep help people relax while at the same time allowing patients to respond to physical stimulation and verbal commands.

When to Consider Relaxation Dentistry
You deserve a healthy, fabulous smile. Putting off routine checkups and minor repairs can result in the need for much more invasive therapy. If you have avoided treatment because you dislike dental visits, relaxation dentistry can allow you to comfortably receive the care you need. Relaxation dentistry is ideal for people who have:

• A high level of fear or anxiety
• Suffered past traumatic dental experiences
• Difficulty in getting numb
• An overactive gag reflex
• Very sensitive teeth
• Complex dental problems
• The need to squeeze several procedures into a limited time period
• A fear of needles and shots
• A strong dislike of the noises, smells and taste associated with dental care
• TMJ-related difficulties where it is uncomfortable to open their mouth for extended periods

Understanding Relaxation Dentistry
The two common types of Relaxation dentistry options:

• Inhalation sedation like as nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas or happy gas). Often, your dentist will also provide a local anesthetic with laughing gas to avoid any pain.
• Oral sedation, which involves pills or liquid taken through the mouth. The medication allows patients to enter a state of total relaxation during treatment. Usually, patients also receive an injection of local anesthetic as well.

Is it really Sleep Dentistry?
Though Relaxation dentistry has also been referred to as sleep dentistry, this terminology is inaccurate. Patients will feel very drowsy during their time in the dental chair. However you are actually awake throughout the treatment process. 

Relaxation dentistry describes the methods used by dentists to manage patient pain and anxiety while at the same time allowing the patient to respond to physical stimulation and verbal commands.