Do you feel nervous at the prospect of attending a dental visit? If so, you are not alone. In fact, some people avoid dental visits altogether out of fear and anxiety. Unfortunately, in avoiding dental visits, these people may develop oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. It is, therefore, essential that these people are made to feel comfortable enough to receive the dental care they need. To this end, your Katy TX sedation dentist, Dr. Colin Lathrop, offers sedation dentistry to his patients. Sedation dentistry is the practice of putting patients into a relaxed state to sooth their anxieties so that they can receive dental care without feeling fearful. Using sedation dentistry as a solution to dental anxiety can work wonders, even for the most fearful patients.
A Closer Look at Dental Anxiety
Anxiety about dentistry is remarkably widespread, with 30 to 40 million Americans avoiding dentistry out of fear. But what is behind these fears? As it turns out, there is no simple answer. A variety of causes can contribute to dental anxiety including the inability to relinquish control of a situation, a bad gag reflex, past bad experiences with dentistry, and a fear of pain. Research also shows that fears and phobias may, in fact, be learned behavior, making it possible for dental anxiety to spread to young children through observation.
Sedation Options in Katy TX
Your Katy TX sedation dentist, Dr. Lathrop, strives to make all of his patients feel comfortable so that they can enjoy a dental experience free from fear or anxiety. However, Dr. Lathrop also understands that some fears require help in order to be overcome. Therefore, Dr. Lathrop offers several options for sedation dentistry. Each option is listed below:
- Nitrous oxide. Nitrous oxide is delivered through a mask worn over the nose during a dental procedure. It produces sensations of relaxation and euphoria, reducing anxiety in patients.
- Oral sedation. Oral sedation requires patients to take a single pill about one hour before a scheduled appointment. Oral sedation brings patients to the edge of sleep, allowing them to answer questions, but relaxing them sufficiently so that they cannot experience fear.
- IV sedation. Dr. Lathrop works with an experienced anesthesiologist to provide IV sedation to his patients. This type of sensation is delivered through a thin needle and is used often for patients with extreme fear and anxiety and in surgical procedures like dental implant placement.
- Oral sedation and nitrous oxide. The combination of oral sedation and nitrous oxide can achieve a deeper level of relaxation than nitrous oxide or oral sedation can produce alone.
About Dr. Lathrop: Dr. Colin Lathrop is an experienced and widely respected dentist serving patients in the Katy TX area. Patient can contact Dr. Lathrop at 832-437-3849 to schedule an appointment or a consultation.
