For those who suffer with strong gag reflexes, a trip to the dentist can be problematic. Even the simple task of brushing their teeth can trigger off a gag reflex, and for a truly invasive procedure such as tooth extraction or dental implants in Richmond, then treatment can be nigh on impossible. Often the patient is left embarrassed and humiliated as they are unable to tolerate even the most straight forward of procedures such as a routine oral inspection or dental X-ray.
So is there an alternative?
One answer may lie in sedation dentistry. Typically, gagging is a physiological or psychological response that can be triggered off by emotional or physical feelings. This results in the patient having difficulty in swallowing or catching their breath. In some sufferers this can escalate to the point where it brings on a full-blown panic attack. Clearly then the best thing for the dentist is to try to keep the patient calm and this is where conscious sedation comes in.
Sedation dentistry works by keeping the patient awake and responsive, yet at the same time placing them in a very relaxed and pain-free state where they don’t have a care in the world. It works particularly well on nervous patients and can be delivered in several ways. Firstly it can be administered intravenously using a carefully controlled anaesthetic, or alternatively it can be inhaled using nitrous oxide (more commonly known as laughing gas). In both cases the levels of sedation can be increased or decreased where necessary and both dissipate from the body reasonably quickly after administration with no side effects. This is especially true with nitrous oxide where after a couple of blasts of pure oxygen the patient should be back to normal. In the past the results have been significant and many nervous patients were able to have quite invasive dental treatment without feeling panicked, anxious or more importantly, the need to gag.
When it comes to dental implants in Richmond, then here at Sheen Dental we use a number of techniques including conscious sedation to make sure that every patient is as comfortable as they can possibly be. This is why it’s important for a person to tell us at the time of consultation that they are extremely nervous or do have gag reflex issues. This can then be built into their treatment plan.
If you’re considering treatment for a dental implant in Richmond. but feel that nerves or other psychological issues are getting the better of you, then we advise you to come and have a chat with us. Dr Harmit Kalsi and the team are here to help you, so contact us on 020 8876 5277 or visit our website at www.sheendental.co.uk to book your free no-obligation consultation.
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