Sedation Dentistry
Long gone are the days when getting dental procedures automatically resulted in pain. Dentists can now provide patients with different types of sedation dentistry to ensure their comfort while they are receiving needed dental care. The type that you would need for a given procedure depends upon your personal preferences and the specific procedure being performed.
Topics covered:
- Nitrous oxide
- Oral sedation
- IV sedation
Nitrous Oxide
Normally called “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is a colorless and odorless gas that is administered with a mask. You simply breathe in, and the nitrous oxide takes effect within one minute.
Although nitrous oxide will not put you to sleep, it will help ease any anxiety that you might normally experience when receiving dental care. Nitrous oxide is also commonly used together with other types of sedation.
If you receive nitrous oxide, its effects will wear off very quickly. So you would be able to drive home immediately after your procedure unless some other type of sedation was also used.
Oral Sedation
Also known as conscious sedation, oral sedation is administered via the patient taking a prescribed sedative prior to their dental procedure. Depending upon your individual situation, you might be taking one pill the night before, or a pill one hour prior to your procedure.
When you take an oral sedative, you will remain awake during your dental procedure, but you will be much more relaxed than normal. Patients who typically experience dental anxiety sometimes undergo oral sedation.
Even though you will remain awake during your dental procedure, patients typically remember very little or nothing after the procedure is complete. Your dental team may be monitoring your vital stats while you are under oral sedation.
Since you will still be somewhat groggy after the effects of your oral sedation have worn off, you will need to make arrangements to have someone drive you home after your dental appointment.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is delivered intravenously, or through a vein. There are actually a number of variations on this type of sedation; for example, twilight sedation allows the patient to remain conscious but unaware of their surroundings. If your dentist needs to awaken you, it is still possible.
A deeper form of IV sedation is general anesthesia. This is only used for those undergoing serious oral surgeries or those who have been found to be resistant to some types of sedation. General sedation means that you will be completely unconscious during your procedure. If you undergo general sedation, an anesthesiologist must be present to monitor your vital signs.
For More Information
To request more information about sedation dentistry, please reach out to us at your earliest convenience. Simply click below for the nearest dental office.
