Everything You Should Know About Sedation Dentistry

 

Do you get nervous when you have to visit the dental office for a procedure? It’s natural to feel anxious, especially if you had a traumatic dental experience when you were a kid. Or maybe because you’re going to have a completely new treatment that you’ve no idea about. 

Sometimes the fear of visiting a dental clinic overpowers the agony of an excruciating toothache. Do you feel the same? Sedation dentistry can be a great companion to alleviate your dental anxiety. 

In specific circumstances, dental anxiety can make you tensed and affect your mental well-being. Irrespective of the reason, dental anxiety is a real issue. It can be challenging to manage it without sedation dentistry. 

Proper counselling and dental sedation during procedures can help you keep calm. Sedation dentistry involves various forms of medication to help you relax for an uneventful and smooth dental procedure.

Get your regular dental checkups and orthodontic dental treatment from a reputed dental clinic for quality care and the best results.

What Are The Various Levels Of Sedation? 

There are various dental sedation levels. Your dentist will prescribe you a sedation level depending on your anxiety condition and the intricacy of the general dental procedures or orthodontic dental treatment. 

• Minimal Sedation– With minimal levels, you’re aware of the procedure and awake but relaxed.
• Moderate Sedation– At this level, you are conscious and may experience slurred speech. You may or may not remember the details of the dental procedure. 
• Deep Sedation– You are on the edge of consciousness. However, you can be awakened. 
• General Anesthesia– Makes you are entirely unconscious. You’ll not know about the procedure or remember any details. You can be awakened only through anesthesia reversal or unless the action time of the anesthetic agents gets over.

What Are The Types Of Sedation Dentistry Available?

Sedation dentistry involves 5 different types of sedation. When you visit a dental office, your dentist sits down with you to discuss and understand your current anxiety concerns. After careful consideration, your dentist prescribes sedation that works best for the fears and issues you experience. 

Inhaled minimal sedation 

As the name suggests, you need to inhale the anesthetic agent for the sedative effect. Your dentist or anesthesiologist place a mask over your nose. You need to slowly breathe in the mixture of nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) combined and oxygen through the mask. This anesthetic gas helps you to relax. The concentration of the gas can be controlled by your dentist. You can also usually communicate with them as needed during the procedure. 

Oral sedation

With oral sedation, your dentist can induce minimal to moderate levels of sedation. To induce minimal sedation levels, your dentist would prescribe you a pill in the same drug family as Valium. The pill needs to be consumed usually an hour before the procedure. Minimal sedation will make you drowsy but keep you awake. 

You may be prescribed a larger anesthetic dose to induce a moderate sedation level. This is one of the most widely practised forms of sedation dentistry.

Also Read: The Best Part of Sedation Dentistry

IV moderate sedation

In this type of sedation dentistry, you would receive the anesthetic agent through am intravenous access. Since the drug is directly injected into your veins, this form of sedation work more quickly. This approach enables your dentist to adjust the sedation levels during the procedure as required.

Deep sedation and general anesthesia

This method involves administering anesthetic agents that will make you almost or completely unconscious (induces deep sleep state) through the dental procedure.

Are You Eligible For Sedation Dentistry? 

Sedation dentistry is specifically recommended if you experience dental anxiety during your generic dental appointments. 

Your dentist may suggest dental sedation if you suffer from one of the following conditions: 

• Have a very low pain threshold or incredible sensitivity to pain, making you uncomfortable even during minor dental procedures. 
• Have a highly sensitive gag reflex 
• Can’t sit still in the dental chair due to anxiety (both children and adults) 
• Have sensitive teeth due to exposed nerve endings or injured teeth 
• Need to undergo extensive or intricate dental procedures

Final Word 

Don’t delay your dental procedures or cancel your dental appointments for fear of pain. With sedation dentistry, it is now a possibility to get the best dental care almost pain-free. What are you waiting for? Plan your treatment and get ready to enjoy impeccable dental health.