Is Sedation Dentistry the Best Option for Your Needs?
Dental procedures are feared by most people who worry about the pain they may feel apart from the potential discomfort which they perceive. Sedation dentistry can certainly help patients to feel relaxed undergoing dental procedures but is it the right choice for you as well?
If you haven’t heard about sedation dentistry you are recommended to continue reading this blog to gather the information you need.
Sedation Dentistry — What Is It?
When you are offered sedation dentistry the dentist will be administering a drug before or during the dental procedure. Out of the different types of sedation dentistry, only general anesthesia can render you completely unconscious. The other varieties will relax you without knocking you out. Sedation dentistry is helpful to relieve the dental anxiety you have to make you relaxed and capable of undergoing the dental work you need.
Different Types of Sedation Dentistry
The most popular types of sedation dentistry offered by dentists include the following:
- Nitrous oxide which is also known as inhalation sedation relaxes you during the procedure and wears off immediately ensuring that your dentist will allow you to drive back home yourself after your appointment.
- Oral sedatives will be offered to you in the form of pills that will help you to relax during dental procedures. You will have to take them an hour before the procedure but you will remain awake without the dental phobia that is bothering you. You may feel sleepy after the procedure until the sedation wears off.
- Intravenous sedation can put you in varying degrees of consciousness. Intravenous sedatives are also known as general anesthesia and will put you into a deep sleep until it wears off. Some drugs administered intravenously can put you into twilight sleep making you less aware of your surroundings but sleepy and leave you with no memory of your procedure when it’s over.
Many patients assume general anesthesia is the best option to overcome dental phobia but it also has a set of side effects than the other methods. Therefore you may want to consider a milder form of sedation dentistry if you want to prevent the side effects from affecting you.
You may choose dental sedation over sleep dentistry but must discuss the same with your dentist initially. If you have had any allergic reactions earlier make it a point to mention it to the dentist to ensure he or she makes an informed decision.
Additionally, you must also discuss local anesthetics that are usually administered. The drugs administered will numb the area of the dental procedure to ensure you do not experience any pain. The local anesthetics are administered with a needle after applying topical anesthesia to your gums. If you do not suffer from any dental anxiety you may only need local anesthesia for the dental procedure you are undergoing.
The Functioning of Sedation Dentistry
The process will depend on the type of sedation chosen by you along with your dentist. If you are having an oral sedative you will be provided with a prescription with instructions on how the medication should be taken. You will benefit from reduced anxiety and increased relaxation if you follow the instructions to the word. After the medication begins functioning you will feel drowsy and content.
Nitrous oxide does not require any preparation from you because the dentist can administer the inhalation sedation before, during, or after the procedure. However, if you have chosen intravenous sedation you must prepare for it in advance.
Your dentist will ask you to fast for approximately 12 hours before the dental procedure and may even suggest you avoid certain medications on the day before you visit the dentist because it can interfere with the medications of the sedation.
Who Are Candidates for Sedation Dentistry?
Most patients considering sedation dentistry have different reasons such as the following according to Steve Horne DDS who is an experienced sedation dentist.
- Dental phobia related to certain procedures.
- Bad experience with dental procedures earlier.
- Sensitive oral nerves.
- Resistance to local anesthesia.
- General anxiety disorder.
If you believe you are in one of the problem areas you can consider discussing it with your dentist and request for sedation dentistry. It can help you to get through many types of dental procedures like tooth extractions, root canals, dental implants and more without any anxiety but must remember not to request it for routine dental cleanings, x-rays, and examinations. If you are overly anxious about dental procedures sedation dentistry may be a viable option for you.