Many people dread going to the dentist. That’s even truer when the procedure requires IV sedation! It’s very easy for people to conjure up the scariest and most terrifying images that build on their fears. It isn’t all bad, however.
In nearly all cases, the procedure was actually necessary to protect you from suffering even greater pain. Here are the so-called scariest dental procedures that you can face — and why they’re really not so bad after all.
Root Canal
In the realm of IV sedation for dentistry, no procedure in Meridian gets as bad a rap as the root canal. The conditions that lead to the need for a root canal usually begin with cavities. When you let cavities go untreated, it can run all the way to the root of the tooth and even into your gums.
With a root canal, all that infection is essentially drawn out and filled in to allow for normal functioning. It’s again, not as painful as most people imagine. Again, the most “painful” part is the IV introduction of the sedative or anesthesia. Not only is it not so bad, it’s actually what you need to numb out.
Filling
Cavities are nasty holes in your tooth that are commonly caused by plaque which can build up when you don’t brush your teeth. The common fear here comes not from the procedure itself — which is relatively painless — but from the sight of the injection needle coming closer and closer.
This is critical, though, as the anesthesia actually numbs you from even greater pain. The reason you need to overcome this fear with a distraction is that untreated and unfilled cavities can actually lead to more painful maladies down the line.
Impacted Tooth
This condition happens when a tooth — usually your wisdom teeth — aren’t growing out of your mouth properly. They can be stuck underneath the gum line where they can apply very painful pressure on the teeth around it.
Not only is this very painful as it is, but it can also lead to complications down the line that hurt even more. The key to this is to get the surgery to remove the impacted tooth done very early — before it does get to do some damage.
Many times the pain of the procedure lies in the extent of the damage brought on by the delay. Once you’re sedated, this procedure doesn’t really hurt at all — it, in fact, provides great relief.
These are the most feared dental procedures that, ironically commonly needed. They’re actually not as scary as many people think as the best dentists and oral surgeons are equally adept at managing pain.
The trick, naturally, is to choose a dental professional who is skilled and competent when it comes to pain management. They should also be able to set your expectations properly to allay any fears that you might have. Finally, if you do want to avoid greater pain, it’s best to get these necessities done as soon as possible to avoid things getting worse.
