What is Sedation Dentistry: Types and Procedure

What is Sedation Dentistry: Types and Procedure

March 1, 2022

What is Sedation Dentistry?

 

Sedation dentistry is a technique adopted by dentists to provide a relaxing and anxiety-free experience at dental practices for some people who are too scared to receive dental treatment. Dental sedation enables people with dental anxiety to go to the dentist and receive essential dental care while avoiding the common apprehension of dental phobia.

 

Nearly 30 percent of the population avoid visiting dentists because of fear and dental phobia. People don’t mind not receiving necessary routine dental care to potentially compromise the health and functionality of their mouth and smile. Sedation dentistry from our dentist in 77339 can help you establish a relaxed and calm state of mind using sedatives. Therefore if you are among the 30 percent of people avoiding dental treatments, you can confidently discuss sedation dentistry types and procedures with the professional to ease your fears and receive the treatments you need.

 

Types of Sedation Dentistry Explained

 

Sedation dentistry prescribes sedatives like tranquilizers, depressants, anti-anxiety medications, and nitrous oxide for dental procedures administered in various ways. Earlier IV sedation administered to the arm via an injection was predominantly used to sedate dental patients.

 

The safety and effectiveness of IV sedation remain undisputed when administered by trained professionals. However, currently, sedation dentistry provides a more conducive and relaxing experience because it offers a no-needle approach which you might find appealing.

 

In stark contrast to the methods used earlier by providing anesthesia either through IVs or intramuscular, oral sedation dentistry is currently the most common technique used by dentists in the United States and Canada. This type of sedation is easy, requiring no needles to create a comfortable experience and ensure you most likely will not remember your visit.

 

You think you slept through your appointment when in reality, oral sedation dentistry maintains a level of consciousness in you for safety and cooperation. Please remember oral sedation doesn’t mean you don’t receive any shots in your mouth to ease the pain. Most dental treatments require local anesthesia injected in the mouth even when sedation dentistry techniques are performed.

 

The local anesthesia blocks the pain impulses temporarily from the affected tooth and gum tissue. However, you will receive the injection after you are entirely sedated and comfortable. Therefore it is unlikely you will even be bothered or remember the sensation of receiving the injection.

 

What is the Procedure of Sedation Dentistry?

 

Our dentist in Kingwood generally prescribes oral pills to have before your appointment. Oral sedation makes you tired, making it essential for you to have someone drive you to and from our dentist’s office.

 

Your safety is the dentist’s priority. Therefore they provide thorough instructions to ensure you know what to expect. For example, you must fast for several hours before your appointment, which is why many patients schedule their appointments in the morning hours. Although oral sedation makes you drowsy to fall asleep, it helps maintain some consciousness in you, and the dentist can quickly wake you up if they need your cooperation during the treatment.

 

The procedure you are undergoing and your level of dental anxiety determine what kind of oral sedation you receive. There are various levels of sedation dentistry ranging from mild to moderate or profound achieved through different types of sedatives. The Academy of General Dentistry has confirmed dental sedation is safe. However, they instruct patients to discuss their medical history and a list of medicines to ensure the dentist uses appropriate sedatives.

 

You may receive minimal or mild sedation through anxiolysis associated with relieving anxiety. Nitrous oxide or inhalation analgesia is a common type of anesthesia requested by people with dental anxiety during their procedures.

 

If you have deep anxiety, you might receive moderate sedation causing a depressed level of consciousness but allowing you to breathe independently and retain your reflexes. Oral conscious sedation is often associated with sedation dentistry to produce moderate sedation via medications recommended to the patient before the appointment to diminish awareness of sounds, smells, and pain. You receive advice to take the medication before your appointment by a responsible caregiver. After arriving at the dental office, you receive additional medication as required to ensure comfort.

 

Intramuscular and deep sedation is not considered sedation dentistry modalities because they cause depressed consciousness causing the patient to confront challenges breathing independently. You can lose your consciousness and reflexes becoming unable to respond to verbal or physical stimulation.

 

If you are one of the many people with dental anxiety, discuss sedation dentistry with our dentist to receive the essential treatments you currently overlook to put your dental and oral well-being in prime condition.

 

If you are scared of dental visits to receive essential treatments to improve your smile, you find it beneficial to schedule an appointment with Houston Oral Healthcare Specialists to receive the much-wanted smile makeover with sedation dentistry in Kingwood, TX to boost your confidence.

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