Sedation Dentistry
Do you truly dread going to the dentist?
If so, you are not alone. Literally, millions of Americans feel this way.
This feeling of dread is not irrational. First of all, it is an invasion of our privacy. Having another person that close to our face is a violation of our private space and we do not like it. Is it rational to look forward to another individual violating our private space while they accomplish mini-construction projects in one of the most sensitive places on our body?
This is not irrational fear but a normal response to an unpleasant outside influence.
Dr. Leland and his staff fully understand this normal human response. They utilize what is known as Sedation Dentistry as one of the ways to help our patients deal with the anxiety associated with dental treatment.
This is the use of certain drugs, sedative or sedative and narcotic combination, administered in a very safe and controlled environment and is very effective in controlling anxiety during dental treatment. Although it is not for everyone, the benefits of using sedation include:
- Longer procedures speed by in what seems like minutes.
- It allows the most fearful patients to be relaxed and comfortable during dental treatment.
- It is quite common to have no memory of the time spent while the treatment is being performed.
- It is safer than being treated without sedation when the patient's state of mind is one of apprehension and full of anxiety.
For over 25 years, Dr. Leland and his staff have utilized sedation in conjunction with dental treatment. The average dental patient utilizes sedation only when having certain procedures that are 'scarier' than others. The best example of a specific procedure in which almost everyone elects to be sedated is when impacted wisdom teeth are removed. During other more routine treatment, such as when they have fillings placed, they have it done without sedation. Only local anesthetic is employed to numb the teeth being worked on.
Other people will choose sedation and local anesthetic so more work can be done at one time. This obviously saves them time and money because fewer appointments are necessary; less time away from work, school or from home; less travel back and forth to the dental office; generally less hassle.
Then there are the folks that hate the idea of having dental treatment so much that they have avoided going for years. Dr. Leland and staff had developed a particular expertise in helping the more fearful patient (regarding dental treatment) obtain the necessary treatment with the use of sedation.
Typically these folks not only have fear and distrust for the dentist, but they have developed the added emotional baggage of shame and guilt associated with the neglect of their dental health. It is very common to find these persons embarrassed, not only to smile in public, but they are embarrassed even with the dental staff about what they construe to be a shortcoming on their part. They are embarrassed by their fear; embarrassed by the dental negligence, and embarrassed by the appearance of their smile.
The apprehensive dental patient needs a professional dental team that knows and understands their circumstances and will treat them in a non-judgmental, caring manner. Careful treatment planning must be done so that any work that they are apprehensive about can be done while they are sedated. Working together, the goal of re-establishing oral health so that they can chew comfortably, without pain, and feel free to smile again can be quickly accomplished in a cost effective way.
Dr. Leland's educational background and personality, together with the supporting cast of staff that he has put together, has led to the development of just such a team of professionals. Not only is he certified in the administration of sedation by the state of Texas, but his educational training during his residency has given him the necessary knowledge and experience that particularly applies to the management of this type of health care. " I love working with the fearful dental patient. It is fun to do the treatment while they sleep, and it is fun to see the smiles after we are through. We can truly change their lives."
