New advances in dental technology have evolved to reduce fear
and anxiety at the dentist. Procedures are now virtually painless, making a
dental visit a surprisingly joyful engagement. Dentists provide dental health
with technologies that relieve tooth pain and remove fear and anxiety. Great dentists in PA have new medications, procedures, and techniques that have
forever changed the practice of dentistry.
The main reason people delay oral health is fear of the pain associated with
the dental visit. With pain no longer involved in dental procedures, people can
be at ease and finally achieve the dental health they deserve. Topical applications
of anesthetics have become more effective. Routinely applied with a swab, the
“numb” area will not feel pain at the injection site.
Dentists in PA routinely practice sedation dentistry with nitrous oxide
treatment and oral sedatives. With the use of medications that promote a state
of deep relaxation, the patient is fully awake and does not experience the pain
and anxiety of dental procedures of the past. With sedation dentistry, even the
most sensitive patients can receive dental care and experience reduced gag
reflex, post procedural jaw soreness, and allows several procedures to be
performed at the same visit.
In the past, drilling a cavity for a filling was painful and increased the fear
in patients. The dentists in PA use laser drills to remove decay from teeth in
preparation for filling cavities. Without further damage to the healthy nerves
in the tooth, a dentist can perform a root canal with a laser drill that does
not harm the enamel or cause discoloration of the tooth. The laser is more
precise and less painful than the standard drills of the past, and may reduce
the need for anesthesia.
Electronically Delivered Anesthesia
For people who shy away from injections, an alternative to pain control is transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulation (TENS). In preparation for a dental procedure,
adhesive pads are applied to the face and electrical nerve impulses are sent to
numb the area receiving treatment. The patient can control the pain via a hand
held device that can increase or decrease the stimulation. The patient enjoys a
painless dental procedure in a relaxed and calm state.
Intravenous Sedation for Extensive Procedures
Patients requiring extensive dental work or experience high anxiety may consider
conscious sedation. The patient is very relaxed but remains awake and can
answer the dentist’s questions. An intravenous (IV) is inserted into the hand
or arm, and the medication is infused a controlled rate for a sedative effect.
Dentists monitor the patient closely throughout the procedure, and the
medication wears off in minutes after the infusion is stopped.
No More Fear and Anxiety
With new advances in dentistry, patients can enjoy dental care in a relaxed and
painless state. Without fear, patients can receive optimal dental health from
regular checkups and prevent complications. Sedation dentistry helps even the
most sensitive patient experience a pain and anxiety free dental visit. With
different pain control options to choose from, patients need to be involved in
their care and discuss a plan with their dentist.