Dentist in Stockton, CA Brookside Dental Care 3031 West March Lane Stockton, CA 95219
(209) 952-8804Everyone is afraid of something. Some people are terrified of heights, while others run from the room at the sight of a mouse. For some people, the dentist is scary. Dental phobia makes individuals postpone routine dental care, or neglect it completely for years. The results can be gum disease, bone recession and tooth loss.
In addition, some patients worry about pain, gag easily or have sensitive teeth. Others fear going to the dentist because of past dental experiences.
What's the solution to this health issue? It may be sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry uses drugs administered by mouth or via inhalation or intravenous injection to reduce a patient's level of anxiety. While many dentists have specialized training in administration of anesthesia and sedation, some practitioners choose to employ staff members whose sole job is to administer these drugs and to monitor patients during procedures.
Before using any sedation or anesthetic for a dental procedure, dentist and patient should discuss the individual's concerns. This helps the doctor determine if sedation is the correct choice and what kind of sedation will help the individual relax while getting the work done. The dentist will review the patient's medical history and any prescription or over the counter medications or supplements they take. People with complex medical issues, sleep apnea, or who are obese may not do well with some kinds of dental sedation.
General anesthesia may be an option for patients who are especially nervous and are undergoing complex restorations. It is not really sedation because it makes the patient unconscious. For the patient to wake up, they must be given another drug or must wait until the anesthesia wears off. Heart rate, blood pressure and respiration are monitored while the patient is "under."
At Brookside Dental Care in Stockton, California, Dr. Alexander Pritsky and his staff want you to have the best dental experience possible and the healthiest smile, too. He, along with Ravneet Nijjar DDS and Harpreet Tiwana DDS, combine state of the art dental services with compassionate care of the individual. To discuss if sedation dentistry is right for your next dental appointment, call the office at 209-952-8804.