Why should prosthodontists consider acquiring minimal sedation certification?

As a prosthodontist, you want to ensure that all your patients love their smiles. Getting them into your office and planning treatment is the first step. For some patients, this is easier said than done. Patients who have dental anxiety may hesitate or avoid seeing any kind of dentist. 

Some patients need to see a prosthodontist to get the restorative treatments they need to keep their smiles healthy. That is why our sedation dentistry Omaha NE team wants to share the role of a prosthodontist and how minimal sedation can help anxious patients. 

What is a prosthodontist?

A prosthodontist is a dentist who specializes in treating dental and facial problems that require tooth or jaw restoration. In order to become a prosthodontist, an individual must complete a CODA-accredited prosthodontist program after dental school. This program takes, on average, three years to complete. 

Prosthodontist vs. general dentists 

The primary job of a general dentist is to repair teeth and ensure they remain healthy. General dentists are able to perform some restoration treatments, like crowns and bridges. However, it is not at the expertise that prosthodontists are able to provide. 

Prosthodontists specialize in replacing teeth and restoring a patient’s oral health. The meaning is in their name. The word “prostho” means replacement, and “dontist” means dealing with teeth. These professionals are trained to perform restoration treatments for a single tooth to a full set and even gums. 

Services that prosthodontists can provide

Some of the procedures that prosthodontists are able to perform include:

• Dentures

• Implants 

• Bridges

• Crowns

• Veneers

• Full mouth restoration 

• Inlays and onlays 

• Pre-prosthetic surgery

• TMJ disorder treatment

How minimal sedation recertification benefits prosthodontists 

Minimal sedation, also referred to as oral sedation, is a kind of sedation that reduces anxiety levels in patients. It allows a patient to remain awake but in a relaxed state. How it is administered is through a prescribed medication called anxiolytics. 

In order for dental professionals to provide this kind of sedation to patients, they need to maintain a minimal sedation certification. This certification is obtained through a sedation dentistry Omaha NE educator. Going out of your way to get this certification is very beneficial for your practice. Here are a few of those benefits.

Increases your patient satisfaction 

Being able to provide minimal sedation to patients can help increase your patient satisfaction rates. Anxious patients will be more inclined to return to your office if they know you can provide sedation that eases their nerves. Plus, their positive interaction with your office may also lead them to do an online review. Having positive reviews online helps build your business’s reputation and credibility. 

Saves you and your patients time

When you have a patient who suffers from dental anxiety or phobia, the procedures might take longer than usual. You want to make sure they stay calm, cooperate and do not have high blood pressure. Hypertension may occur and cause health problems or even a stroke. Minimal sedation helps calm a patient allowing you to start and finish dental procedures as scheduled.

Choose the best educator for sedation dentistry in Omaha, NE! 

At Midwest Sedation, we provide minimal sedation certification courses online! Our classes are approved in eight states - Nebraska, Kansas, Oregon, North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and West Virginia. Visit our website to register!