Many of us have horror stories from the dentist when we were young. Whether those stories stem from the fact that the dentist’s chair is a lot more intimidating when we’re young or that dentistry didn’t use to be what it is now, the stories remain. 

Dentistry has come a long way in terms of patient experience, and the usual check-up and cleaning is virtually painless. That said, many people avoid dentists at all costs out of fear that the experience will be too uncomfortable. 

Luckily, painless dentistry is the answer to that problem. What is a painless dentist, though, and what makes them different? We’re going to answer that question and more in this article. 

Let’s get started:

What is a Painless Dentist?

Painless dentistry, unlike the normal kind, takes extra precautions to make sure that the patient is comfortable and experiences virtually no pain. 

This is done through a process of sedation. The amount of sedation you receive depends on the intensity of the operation and the potential for pain. Additionally, your sensitivity to pain can influence how much sedation you choose to work with. 

There are a few different options for you to choose from:

Inhaling Nitrous Oxide

The inhalation of nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, causes a very relaxing and gradual numbing effect. Depending on how much sedation you undertake, you could experience a few things. 

You might stay awake with an added feeling of relaxation and comfort. Moving forward, you might stay awake but lose a good deal of lucidity as the laughing gas starts working. 

Further down, you could remain partially awake with a very limited amount of consciousness. Finally, you could choose to be completely unconscious throughout the process. 

Sedation Pills

You also have the option to experience sedation by ingesting a pill. This is a good option for those who are uncomfortable wearing the mask or would like to fall asleep entirely throughout the procedure. 

Depending on the intensity of the medication, you may have to set up a ride to get home afterward. Some sedations linger in a person’s system for a while and impair your ability to drive.

IV Drips

The final option you have to choose from is an IV drip. This method takes place right away and offers a very specific amount of sedation. It’s easy to monitor and adjust a person’s sedation level with an IV drip because the doctor can make changes as needed. 

All of the options above are used with the help of numbing treatments that help to dull any sensation a person feels on their teeth or gums. You can use these options for anything from basic cleaning to a root canal. 

Looking for a Pain-Free Experience?

So, what is a painless dentist? It’s a dentist that can fix you up without you having to go through any discomfort. 

If that sounds like something that you’d be interested in, explore our site for more information on procedures and how to set up an appointment.