Professional basketball player Lamar Odom's teeth became a topic of concern due to his notorious sweet tooth. His love for candy eventually caught up with him, leading to a mouthful of decayed teeth. The six-foot-ten-inch, 230-pound hoops star admitted that he had been avoiding treatment… because he was afraid of going to the dentist!
It took two Kardashians (Khloe and Kim) and a painful toothache to finally persuade Odom to sit in the chair. Once he did, it was found that Lamar Odom's teeth needed significant work, including a root canal, a wisdom tooth extraction, and several fillings. Yet, despite his fears, he managed to complete all these procedures in a single visit and walked out with a much healthier smile. How did his dentists make that happen?
The Power of Sedation Dentistry
Put it down to the “magic” of sedation dentistry. With anxiety-relieving medications that can be delivered orally (in pill form or by gas) or intravenously (into the bloodstream), sedation techniques can help even the most fearful patients get the dental care they need.
That’s good news for about 50 percent of the population, who admit they’re at least somewhat afraid of the dentist—and even better for the 15 percent who avoid dental care completely due to their fear.
How Does Sedation Dentistry Help Patients Like Lamar Odom?
Dentists have a number of ways to ease apprehensive patients through a dental visit:
- Oral Sedation: An anti-anxiety drug in pill form can be taken about an hour beforehand to help patients relax.
- Nitrous Oxide (“Laughing Gas”): Administered via a mask placed over the nose or mouth, this gas relieves anxiety and creates a calming effect.
- Mild Sedation: For many nervous patients, mild sedation is enough to help fear melt away and make dental procedures stress-free.
IV Sedation for More Extensive Dental Work
For lengthier or more complex procedures, intravenous (IV) sedation may be recommended. Unlike deep (unconscious) sedation, IV sedation doesn’t cause full sleep. Instead, it puts you in a comfortable semi-awake state, where you can still breathe on your own and respond to stimuli—but without feeling anxiety.
When the procedure is over, most patients won’t even remember it happened, making it an excellent option for those with severe dental fears. Lamar Odom's teeth required extensive treatment, and IV sedation helped him get through it stress-free.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
IV sedation is administered by specially trained dentists equipped with proper safety equipment. While under sedation, you will be monitored at all times by a dedicated staff member.
Once the procedure is over, you will rest briefly as the medication wears off. Since sedation affects alertness, you will need someone to drive you home after the appointment.
Lamar Odom Teeth: A Success Story with Sedation Dentistry
Does sedation dentistry really work? Lamar Odom thinks so.
“I feel so much better,” he said when his 7-hour procedure was over. “I feel like I accomplished something.”
His case highlights how Lamar Odom's teeth were transformed thanks to modern dental sedation techniques. His fear of the dentist didn’t stop him from getting the treatment he needed, and the results speak for themselves.
Ready to Overcome Your Dental Anxiety?
If you would like more information about sedation dentistry, please contact us or schedule an appointment.
