The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Whether you are afraid of pain, fearful of the tools dentists use or have a more extreme dental phobia that prevents you from even thinking about going to the dentist, sedation dentistry may help. Sedation dentistry uses pharmacological agents to reduce anxiety, discomfort and pain before and during dental procedures. The sedative is administered via a small pill or intravenous (IV) drip, and the level of sedation can be controlled throughout your appointment.
Anxiety is a natural part of the human experience and manifests in different ways for each individual. Some patients experience just a little pre-procedure anxiety while others are completely overwhelmed and terrified. Regardless of the severity, dental phobias are a common issue that often prevent people from receiving the oral care they need. Fortunately, sedation dentistry can be used to help ease the fear and provide access to dental treatment for patients who otherwise might not get it.
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There are several types of sedation, each of which offers its own set of benefits. The least invasive, and therefore the least expensive, type of sedation is called minimal sedation, and consists of inhaling nitrous oxide (commonly known as “laughing gas”) mixed with oxygen through a mask that is placed over your nose. This allows you to remain conscious but deeply relaxed, and it wears off quickly so that you can drive home afterwards.
A stronger sedative, commonly referred to as moderate sedation, is given intravenously. This allows your dentist to control the level of sedation more precisely and will typically put you to sleep during your appointment. While you will be unconscious for the majority of your visit, you will still be able to hear and respond to your dentist’s requests. The benefit of this form of sedation is that it will make the dental appointment seem much shorter than normal.
The most potent form of sedation is reserved for patients who require deeper relaxation or will be undergoing lengthy, complex procedures. This is a very safe method of sedation that is controlled directly by the dentist. This type of sedation will also generally cause you to fall asleep during the appointment, and you will likely not remember any of it.
One of the most important benefits of sedation dentistry is that it will help you avoid feeling any pain during your dental procedure. If you would like to learn more about sedation dentistry, we invite you to contact us today and schedule an appointment with a member of our team.
During your appointment, the sedative will work to relax all of your muscles, including your jaw and teeth. Your dentist will then inject a local anesthetic into the affected area, which will block any pain impulses and leave you feeling fully at ease.
Because of the effects of sedation, we recommend that you bring a trusted friend or family member with you to your appointment. The caregiver will need to be able to drive you home after the appointment and stay with you until the effects of the medication wear off.