If just the thought of stepping into a dentist’s office sends a chill down your spine, getting a root canal can seem impossible. But what about getting sedation? Who are candidates for sedation with an endodontic procedure? The root canal specialist from Lytle Family Dentistry & Orthodontics answers your questions below.
Why Root Canals Are Necessary
Make no mistake—simply avoiding or delaying root canal treatment isn’t the solution to your fear. Root canals save teeth that are severely infected or damaged. Without treatment from our root canal specialist, the infection can spread, compromising your oral and whole-body health.
Who Can Get Sedation, According to a Root Canal Specialist?
Anyone who asks, barring any health conditions that make sedation dangerous. At Lytle Family Dentistry & Orthodontics, we consider your desires when planning your treatment, so let our root canal specialist know if you need extra help relaxing. That said, sedation dentistry often makes sense for the following reasons.
Dental Phobia
This fear afflicts around 36% of Americans, according to the Cleveland Clinic. Dentophobia could be particularly challenging when it comes to endodontic care, preventing you from seeking treatment.
Sedation can significantly ease this fear, providing a sense of calm. We’re also experienced in helping patients with a phobia of dentists so that we can adapt to your needs.
Other Anxiety
Maybe you don’t have a specific fear of the dentist, but you are afraid of medical procedures, needles, or blood. Even claustrophobia can cause stress since a dentist and support staff are in your space. Having tools in your mouth could also be a trigger.
Sedation can help you feel safer. Depending on the type of sedation that’s right for you, you might not even remember portions or all of the treatment. We can also combine sedation with our other amenities.
Special Needs
This category includes people with disabilities or those who have difficulty sitting still, can’t manage muscle control, have sensory issues, or have a strong gag reflex. Our root canal specialist can use sedation to relax muscles and administer necessary dental care safely and effectively.
Complicated Procedures
For example, root canal treatment on your front tooth is typically faster than on a back molar. Furthermore, some scenarios just require more time and care. We’ll explain everything so you can make an informed decision about whether you need sedation for a longer or more complex procedure.
Types of Sedation Used by Our Root Canal Specialist
- Nitrous Oxide: Laughing gas is a mild sedative inhaled through a mask. The effects wear off quickly, making it convenient if you need to drive home after the procedure.
- Oral Sedation: For this, you take a pill before the procedure. The level of sedation can range from minimal to moderate, and you will need someone to drive you home.
- IV Sedation: This form of sedation is administered intravenously. You’ll feel drowsy and may not remember the procedure.
Don’t Let Anxiety Win—Contact Our Root Canal Specialist
Modern root canals don’t need to scare you, especially not with sedation as an option. Contact Lytle Family Dentistry today to schedule your root canal consultation and find out how we can use sedation to make the process easier. Take the leap to a stress-free and healthy smile!
