In the nationwide discussion of sedation dentistry, the conversation tends to focus on how inducing a state of relaxation can help fearful or anxious patients receive the preventive, restorative, and prosthetic dental care they need. People seeking strictly cosmetic dental care, on the other hand, are often left out of the sedation dentistry conversation altogether. Today, we’re shedding some light on this little-discussed but important issue.
Breaking Down Perceptions of Cosmetic Dentistry
In the U.S., we live in a bit of a paradox when it comes to self-improvement. We perceive looking good (and pursuing products and techniques to look better) as crucial to achieving success in the workplace as well as in social and romantic arenas. Yet, at the same time, improving your appearance just for the sake of improving your appearance is perceived as somehow shallow and superficial. This paradoxical thinking results in the false impression that cosmetic dental procedures aren’t “important enough” to justify the use of dental sedation. Unfortunately, this prevents many people with dental fear or anxiety who could genuinely benefit from cosmetic dentistry from pursuing treatment.
Prioritizing Patient Comfort and Safety
Whether you need a cleaning, a root canal, or you just want to improve your smile with a set of porcelain veneers, you deserve to feel relaxed and comfortable throughout your appointment. Your dentist truly cares about your comfort, so he will have at least one or two dental sedation methods, like nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation, to help you remain completely comfortable. In addition, your dentist and his assisting staff have the training needed to monitor your vital signs so you stay safe.
Customized Sedation for Customized Treatment
There’s no set of rules governing which type of dental sedation should be used for one cosmetic dental procedure or another. Instead, your dentist will take several factors into consideration, including your level of fear/anxiety and the complexity of your treatment plan, before recommending a given sedation type.
About Brad Greenfield, DDS
Dr. Brad Greenfield practices family, restorative, cosmetic, and sedation dentistry with a holistic approach to patient care and comfort. To schedule an appointment with your Lake Orion, MI sedation dentist, call (248) 693-6213. We proudly serve patients of all ages in Clarkston, Auburn Hills, Oxford, Rochester Hills, and neighboring communities.
