For many patients, a dental appointment brings feelings of nervousness or uneasiness, and for others, even the thought of sitting in a dental chair can trigger moderate to severe anxiety that makes it difficult, or even impossible, to get the care they need! If that sounds familiar, you may be a great candidate for oral conscious sedation in Tampa, a safe and effective way to help patients feel calmer and more comfortable during their dental appointments. Here’s what you need to know and how to tell if you may be a good candidate.
What Exactly Is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation involves taking prescribed medication before your appointment to help you relax by the time you’re seated for treatment. While you remain awake and able to respond to your dental team, you’ll feel more at ease, less aware of the sights and sounds around you, and in many cases, have little memory of the procedure afterward. It’s designed to help you get the care you need without any of the overwhelming stress or nerves that can sometimes be associated with these visits!
Who Might Benefit from Oral Conscious Sedation?
Not everyone needs sedation for dental care, but for certain patients, it can make all the difference in the world. You may be a good candidate if:
- You experience moderate to severe dental anxiety that keeps you from scheduling or completing necessary care.
- You need extensive dental work that would otherwise be difficult to sit through in one visit, such as dental implants.
- You have a strong gag reflex that makes even routine dental treatment difficult.
- You struggle with sitting still in a chair for long periods of time.
- You’ve had a negative dental experience in the past that has made you fearful of treatment.
Just keep in mind that oral conscious sedation isn’t right for everyone; certain medications, medical conditions, or health factors may make it unsafe or unrealistic. That’s why you should always have an open conversation with your dental team beforehand, in which you review your medical history as well as your oral health needs before a decision is made.
The bottom line is, if dental anxiety has been holding you back from getting the care you need, oral conscious sedation may be the solution that helps you finally feel comfortable enough to commit to your smile’s needs. The first step is simply talking with your dentist to see if you’re a great candidate!
About the Practice
Under the leadership of Dr. Justin Elikofer and Dr. Rodney Holcombe, our team here at Florida Digital Implants has served the needs of Tampa and the nearby area for several years, offering a wide range of dental implant-related services, as well as oral conscious sedation and other calming solutions. If you have any questions about the blog, or you’d like to get in touch with us to set up an appointment for yourself or a loved one, please reach out online or call today for more information or assistance. Telephone: (813) 972-9077.