If dental treatment feels scary, make yourself a little more comfortable with sedation dentistry!

A comfortable choice for those who are afraid of the dentist

Sedation dentistry

Hello, I’m Yang Sang-ho, CEO and Chief Dentist of Yonsei Wish Dental Clinic.

Every year, many people visit the dentist because of tooth pain,

but in fact, many of them came so late that they must have thought,

"What if I had come a little earlier?"

And

I’m sure there are still many people who are postponing their visit.

The reason this pattern probably does not disappear

and keeps repeating is this.

"Dental phobia"

Your view is blocked,

the whirring sound of the machine gets louder and louder,

and you can’t keep your mouth closed for more than ten minutes...

The fear that situation creates

will feel like a burden in a different category

from the burden caused simply by tooth pain.

Yonsei Wish Dental Clinic, which understands this so well,

what efforts are they making?

It is 'sedation dentistry'.

What is sedation dentistry?

When many people think of a dental clinic,

they feel tense right away because of the distinctive machine sounds, bright lights,

and fear of anesthetic injections.

Because of this anxiety, many people even delay treatment

despite being in pain.

To reduce this burden, dental clinics use a method called

“sedation dentistry (conscious sedation).”

Sedation dentistry does not mean

falling completely asleep like with general anesthesia,

but rather a method that helps patients receive treatment in a relaxed and stable state

through sedative medication.

While the patient remains conscious at a basic level,

the fear and tension about the treatment process are greatly reduced.

Thanks to this, people with dental phobia,

those with a strong gag reflex,

or patients undergoing treatment that requires a long time

can complete treatment more easily.

What are the benefits?

The biggest advantage of sedation dentistry is,

above all, that patients can receive treatment with peace of mind.

When tension and fear decrease,

the body moves less during treatment,

which increases the accuracy and stability of the procedure.

Also, memories of pain or sounds during treatment become less vivid,

so the burden for the next visit is much lower.

In addition, for patients who had long put off treatment

because of fear of dental procedures,

it can serve as a starting point for beginning treatment.

Especially when several areas need to be treated at once,

using sedation dentistry makes it possible to receive treatment for a long time

without difficulty.

In this way, helping with the patient’s psychological comfort

and improving treatment efficiency

can be said to be the greatest advantage of sedation dentistry.

What is the process?

Unlike regular treatment,

sedation dentistry is carried out through several preparation steps.

First, a consultation is conducted to check the patient’s health condition,

medications currently being taken,

and any allergies.

Then, on the day of treatment, a sedative medication is administered intravenously

so that the patient gradually becomes relaxed and comfortable.

At this time, the patient is not completely asleep,

but remains conscious while anxiety and fear are greatly reduced.

During the treatment, the medical staff continuously monitors

pulse, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, and more

to manage safety.

After treatment ends, the medication gradually wears off,

and the patient can go home after resting for a certain period in the recovery room.

Most patients do not remember the treatment process,

so it feels as though they simply came and rested comfortably.

Yonsei Wish Dental Clinic uses a safe medication called

'remimazolam,' which allows rapid induction and maintenance of sedation.

At this time, a special device called an 'infusion' is used

to continuously and consistently administer the medication,

helping ensure safe anesthesia.

In preparation for any possible emergency,

the patient’s condition is checked in real time with monitoring equipment,

and a reversal agent called 'flumazenil' can be used for quick response.

Also, all staff members have completed CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) training,

so they can respond quickly in an emergency.

Precautions during treatment

Sedation dentistry is a safe method,

but there are a few things to keep in mind.

First, fasting for at least 6 to 8 hours before treatment is necessary.

If food or drink remains in the stomach,

there is a risk of vomiting or aspiration.

Also, if you are taking medication

or have any pre-existing conditions (such as cardiovascular disease or respiratory disease),

be sure to inform the medical staff in advance

so that safe medication selection and monitoring are possible.

After treatment,

time is needed until the medication effect has completely worn off,

so it is best to avoid driving, operating machinery,

or making important decisions on the same day,

and it is recommended to visit with a guardian and go home together.

Most people recover quickly,

but in rare cases dizziness or drowsiness may remain,

so getting enough rest is safe.

If these precautions are followed well,

sedation dentistry can be a good way to greatly reduce fear of dental treatment

and allow you to receive care more comfortably.

Dental treatment can be a burdensome

and nerve-wracking moment for anyone.

But sedation dentistry is a safe method that helps reduce such fear

and allows patients to receive treatment more comfortably.

For those who have postponed treatment because of dental phobia,

or those facing treatment that requires a long time,

it can be a good option.

Through a consultation before treatment,

check whether it is the right method for you,

and if you follow the medical staff’s guidance and observe the preparation and precautions,

you can complete treatment comfortably without major difficulty.

Most importantly,

rather than delaying treatment because of fear,

it is important to visit the dentist on time,

receive treatment,

and protect healthy teeth and a bright smile.

Yonsei Wish Dental Clinic applies this to all treatments,

including implants, wisdom tooth extraction,

dental nerve treatment, cosmetic treatment, and scaling.

So that we can preserve as many of your precious teeth as possible,

and make treatment as painless as possible,

Yonsei Wish Dental Clinic will do its best.

Scary dental treatment

No worries with sedation