For many adults, dental anxiety is a serious issue that prevents these patients from getting the care needed to protect their smiles. It’s been estimated that between five and eight percent of Americans avoid going to the dentist due to dental anxiety and as many as 20 percent of Americans will only visit a dentist when compelled to by a serious medical condition.
At 26th Street Dental Center, our mission is to help all patients get access to the preventive and restorative dental care they deserve. To help nervous individuals as well as patients preparing for lengthy treatments, our Chicago dentist offers oral sedation. Taken as a pill, this medication helps individuals relax during their visit.
Who Benefits from Dental Sedation?
Sedation dentistry can be an effective remedy for people with serious dental anxiety and others who have difficulty undergoing dental treatment. That’s why our Chicago dentist offers oral sedation for patients over the age of 18 who need a little extra help sitting through dental checkups and other types of procedures.
During your consultation with Dr. Ogbara, we’ll discuss your options and determine whether sedation can be added to your upcoming dental visit. As dental sedation is safe for most healthy adults, this pill option can be added to almost any upcoming procedure.
Other candidates for sedation dentistry include:
- Patients with a gag reflex
- Anxious patients who have a hard time sitting still
- Patients with a low pain threshold
- Patients receiving multiple treatments in one appointment
How Sedation Dentistry Works
With oral sedation, also known as conscious sedation, a pill is administered to the patient prior to treatment. This will leave you feeling drowsy, but you’ll be aware and able to respond to your dentist’s questions and directions. As the medication does require some time to wear off, we require patients have a friend or family member drive them to and from their appointment.