Many clients would rather stay away from the dentist for a variety of reasons, including the equipment noise, peering into their mouth, and even the prospect of receiving treatment.
So, consider sedation dentistry if the thought of having a dental appointment makes you anxious.
Nowadays, sedation dentistry is a popular alternative for several types of dental care. For people who have dental anxiety or who are having more lengthy operations, it provides a calm and pleasant experience.
What is sedation dentistry?
Dental sedation is a therapeutic medical technique in which varying sedative doses are given to patients to induce relaxation. Patients are typically sedated before the operation to reduce discomfort and anxiety during dental work or surgery. It makes you feel at peace, calm, and relaxed.
There are several ways to give sedatives, including oral administration and inhalation. However, because of the moderate sedation dose, you are technically still awake but also quite relaxed.
The dentist will thoroughly research your medical history before administering sedation to prevent health issues. Patients who have mild to intense dental anxiety and light and sound sensitivity can benefit from this treatment.
Who can undergo sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is beneficial for patients of all ages, including kids. Dentists often suggest this choice for patients who have:
- A fear of dental visits
- Dental Anxiety
- Fear of needles
- Overly sensitive gag reflex
- Feeling claustrophobic in a dental chair
- High tooth sensitivity
What are the common types of sedation dentistry?
● Light Sedation
You can maintain your comfort and relaxation with light sedation, which is frequently accomplished with nitrous gas. Still, you will remain conscious during the dental operation.
● Moderate Sedation
You will have an extremely calm state after moderate sedation. Although you might not be able to operate properly, you will still be able to follow simple instructions.
● General anaesthesia
The patient will be entirely asleep after receiving this form of medication. So, you will need assistance breathing since you will not be conscious. General anaesthesia is often reserved for oral surgery.
Also read : How to Handle Pain After A Root Canal Treatment?
What are the methods of administering sedation in dentistry?
1. Through nitrous oxide
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, calms patients during routine dental treatments. Some things to note are:
- Within three to five minutes of inhaling nitrous oxide using a mask or nosepiece, the patient will start to feel relaxed.
- Throughout the operation, your dentist manages the level of sedation you receive and makes necessary adjustments.
- Following the procedure, your dentist will provide pure oxygen to help your body rid itself of nitrous oxide.
Patients with moderate and severe dental anxiety can benefit from this treatment. Moreover, patients with certain medical needs, such as light and sound sensitivity, can also benefit from it.
2. Oral sedatives
Your Northern Beaches dentist will administer sedative medicine, often in pill or syrup form, an hour or so before the start of your treatment if you choose oral conscious sedation.
This allows the medication to have ample time to work. Once the sedatives start working, you will feel sleepy and could even doze off throughout the dental procedure.
Yet, you will be awake even with a gentle nudge. It will require a friend or family member to drive you home following your treatment since oral sedation might temporarily affect your memory and motor cells.
3. Intravenous sedation
This is one of the deepest levels of sedation offered in a dental office environment. The procedure is:
- The sedative is given via an IV line attached to a vein in your arm.
- Your dentist keeps an eye on your oxygen levels, blood pressure, and pulse rate while performing the treatment.
- They can change your dosage at any time and, if required, switch to reversal medicine.
When receiving IV sedation dentistry, most patients nod off and wake up with little to no recall of their procedure.
Intravenous sedation is the most suitable alternative for individuals undergoing extensive treatments or with significant dental anxiety.
Must-Know facts about the sedation dentistry
● It helps overcome dental anxiety
Sedation is preferred during dental appointments to minimise fear and anxiety. The great thing about sedation is that it eases the anxiety of any kind related to dental procedures, regardless of the underlying reason.
● It is not only for people with anxiety
Also, sedation will make treatment simpler for people with a strong gag reflex or trouble staying still during lengthy consultations. Dentists often use sedation for patients requiring extensive dental work because it allows the dentist to do more procedures in a single visit.
With sedation, you will not need to get up or move around much throughout the procedure and can simply unwind in your chair the entire time. As a result, your appointment would end considerably sooner than it would have without sedation.
● It is extremely safe
Sedation dentistry is quite safe as long as you select a trained and experienced Northern Beaches dentist. In fact, sedation dentistry has no significant hazards. However, you must share the following information with your dentist:
- If you have any health ailments, such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure
- If you are taking any medications or treatment
It is also advisable not to take any other medication or supplement with sedation.
● It is different from anaesthetics
Contrary to the prevalent idea, there is no similarity between anaesthesia and sedation. They are completely distinct types of medications.
While anaesthetics are used to numb your senses to avoid the feeling of pain during some procedures, sedatives are intended to calm patients.
You will not be awake during the treatment if your dentist opts for general anaesthesia. But, when sedatives are administered, you are usually awake and just more relaxed.
Final thoughts!
You should not allow nervousness to prevent you from getting the high-quality dental treatment you need. Sedation dentistrymight assist you in getting the treatment you require for long-lasting dental health if the idea of seeing the dentist causes you to worry or anxiety.
