Miami Cosmetic Dentist Explains Sedation Dentistry
Nearly 30% of Americans are afraid of visiting the dentist and even will put up with pain or discomfort to avoid dental visits. However, for those people, there is another way: sedation dentistry. It can also be called oral sedation dentistry, anxiety-free dentistry, and relaxation dentistry.
Available for both general and cosmetic dentistry, sedation dentistry can be used for procedures from simple cleanings and root canals to complete smile makeovers. At a dental visit you and your dentist will agree on the needed treatment. The dentist will give you a prescription for a drug such as Valium, Ativan, or Sonata.
“Most of the drugs have been available for years and all are safe to use,” says one of Miami’s best sedation dentists, Dr. Charles Nottingham, cosmetic dentist from South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry. “Some of the prescriptions last longer than others, so the amount of time necessary for your treatment will help determine what kind of medicine you will receive. Be sure to tell the dentist about other drugs you are taking and details of your medical condition.”
The day of the procedure, you will take your medicine before the appointment – how far in advance will be determined by how long your treatment will take. You will need a companion to drive you to and from your appointment. When the dentist starts the procedure, you will feel relaxed and, possibly, drowsy, points out Nottingham, a Miami sedation dentist. Most patients don’t sleep deeply unless they’ve been administered general anesthesia, which most dentists don’t provide.
Some dentists provide Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) instead of or in addition to prescription medicine. In use for more than 100 years, Nitrous Oxide is particularly good to combine with other sedation dentistry medicines since it provides pain relief and has some anti-anxiety properties.
“Although it cannot completely remove fear, the medicine will help you experience the procedure in a new, more comfortable way,” says Dr. Nottingham, a Miami cosmetic dentist. The dentist will monitor your vital signs using equipment like a pulse oximeter or blood pressure monitor. Bad reactions to the medicine or other emergencies are very rare, but the dentist and his/her team must be prepared just in case.
With a calmer patient, the dentist can accomplish more in a single visit – so you are less likely to need a second visit to complete the procedure. Afterward, your companion can take you home. Some of the available sedation dentistry prescriptions have amnesiac properties, so you will have few or no memories of the procedure. The next day you will feel like yourself again – with a newer, more a beautiful smile.
Learn More:
To learn more about South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry, visit www.smilesouthflorida.com. Or, call (954) 721-6950 to speak with a team member to learn more about South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry’s free consultations.
About South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry
The cosmetic dentists at South Florida Cosmetic Dentistry have offices in Broward County and West Palm Beach and provide Boca Raton Dentistry, Fort Lauderdale Dentistry and Miami Dentistry. They specialize in dental aesthetics including porcelain veneers, dental implants, extreme makeovers, and Invisalign. The practice includes some of the best sedation dentists in the Miami area.
About Nottingham Consulting Group, LLC
Nottingham Consulting Group is a South Florida business consulting & coaching firm specializing in business management, coaching, and marketing strategies. Nottingham Consulting Group’s award-winning team members work together to revitalize clients’ business from top to bottom. From training clients in tried and true customer relation strategies, to implementing modern marketing techniques including establishing a presence on the Internet and multimedia, to providing years of experience in business management, Nottingham Consulting Group provides its clients with a sound business foundation and a business plan that provides a great ROI.
© 2010 Nottingham Consulting Group, LLC. Linking to other sites from this article is strictly prohibited, with the exception of herein imbedded links.
