Going to the dentist can be a harrowing experience for some people. It is a far more serious condition than many people realize. Studies have shown that up to 75% of American adults fear dental treatment with anxiety levels ranging from mild to very severe. This obviously isn’t very good news because regular dental check-ups and cleanings are essential to maintaining good overall health.
Thankfully, the dental industry has devised many solutions to counter this pervasive dilemma. Many dentists have renovated their dental clinics to make them seem less threatening and impersonal. Gone are the cold, antiseptic environments of many traditional dental clinics. They’ve been replaced by tastefully decorated dental waiting rooms and clinics that might resemble hotel lounges or spas in décor. In addition, many dentists have begun to use aromatherapy, flowers, soothing music, and entertainment diversions to lessen patient’s anxieties and ease their discomfort.
Many shrewd dentists have begun to open dental spas, so-called because they provide some of the services of a traditional spa in a relaxing environment. As patients undergo procedures like root canals, gum treatment, and regular cleanings while on the dentist’s chair, certified assistants may provide spa services, like neck and hand massages. Patients can then have other spa treatments done after the dental procedure is finished.
In addition to diversifying their list of services and increasing their appeal, sedation dentistry Chicago also offers services to calm patients during dental procedures and alleviate some of their pain. Dentists listen to patient’s concerns and gauge their level of comfort before providing the appropriate level of sedation. For patients who need to feel mildly relaxed during treatment, laughing gas (or nitrous oxide) may be prescribed. Patients inhale a safe dosage through a face mask. Not only do patients feel relaxed during the procedure, they also experience dulling of the pain.
Other forms of sedation offered by sedation dentistry Chicago include sleep dentistry and IV sedation. Both methods of sedation allow the patient to feel drowsy- deadening conscious awareness and depressing the nervous system. Though the patient will be conscious during the procedure and cognizant enough to respond to the dentist’s requests, patients will feel very little discomfort and pain.
With all these exciting innovations in the dental industry, undergoing sedation dentistry Chicago procedures should not only be a pleasant experience for the average patient, but an experience that rejuvenates the body and relaxes the mind.