For the right candidate, sedation dentistry is a game changer. Safe medications can be inhaled, taken orally or administered intravenously to put patients into a deeply relaxed and comfortable state while they receive dental treatment. Sedation dentistry can mean the difference between a lifetime of oral health problems and achieving healthy, functional teeth and gums.
However, sedation dentistry isn’t right for everyone. Dr. Weston Spencer evaluates La Jolla and Pacific Beach sedation dentistry candidates on an individual basis to determine whether they can safely receive sedation.
Signs You Could Benefit from Sedation Dentistry
You might benefit from sedation dentistry if you:
- Feel anxious, nervous or afraid of receiving dental treatment
- Have avoided the dentist for years because of a previously traumatic experience
- Have extremely sensitive teeth
- Have a severe gag reflex
- Have difficulty getting numb
- Fear needles
- Fear the sounds and smells of a dental drill or other instruments
- Cannot keep your mouth open for extended periods of time
- Have trouble sitting still in a dental chair for extended periods of time
- Need a lot of dental work done in one appointment
- Have a condition that makes it difficult to control your movements
- Have not seen a dentist in many years
- Are embarrassed by the condition of your teeth or gums
Sedation dentistry is commonly used with elderly patients that might have a lower threshold for pain or find it difficult to control their responses to treatment. Sedation dentistry is also recommended to adults that have physical or mental disabilities, or health conditions like Parkinson’s disease or cerebral palsy, that prevent them from being able to control their movements while receiving treatment. The sedative medication temporarily relaxes these patients so they can safely and comfortably receive the dental treatment they need.
Evaluating Sedation Dentistry Candidates
Dr. Spencer sits down with every sedation dentistry candidate one-on-one to determine whether sedation dentistry is a safe option and if so, what type. When you meet with him for your consultation, you can expect him to ask you some questions about yourself and your needs.
Your health and medical history are very important considerations. Your safety and well-being are our ultimate priority and we want to choose the safest sedative method possible. You should be honest and up-front with Dr. Spencer about your medical history, allergies and medications you take. You might be allergic to one of the sedative medications that we use, or you might take a certain medication that interacts badly with anesthesia. We need to know these things so we can make educated decisions about your care and avoid complications.
When we select your sedation method, we will take into account the nature and extent of the dental work needed. We may recommend a different sedative method for a teeth cleaning than we would a full mouth reconstruction. All of these options will be discussed with you at length.
Contact Our Sedation Dentist
Candidates seeking sedation dentistry in La Jolla – North Pacific Beach and surrounding San Diego areas are encouraged to schedule a consultation with Dr. Weston Spencer. Call or email our San Diego-area dental office today to make your appointment.