Sedation dentistry is one of the most comfortable and
efficient dental procedures, which has been helping people deal with dental
anxieties. It means for people who are about to undergo certain dental
procedures that are about to take a lot of time; sedation becomes necessary to
ease the pain around the affected region upon being operated on.
Some of the options that sedation dentists prefer to use are
nitrous oxide, intravenous sedation, or conscious sedation. The dentists who
take up the charge of sedating the patients should have optimal training as
well as certification to operate on the patients.
To help you get a perspective on sedation in dentistry, you
must know a survey by NIH (National Institutes of Health) stated the percentage
of sedation necessity in various conditions, which includes 18% for dental
fillings, 54.7% for endodontics, 68.2% for any periodontal surgery, 7.2% for
the cleaning approaches and 46.5% for tooth extraction.
This statistic explains the preference level of sedation in
different dental treatment approaches. Seeing this statistic, you can presume
how crucial sedation is in most cases, except for dental clean-ups.
So, if you are about to get dental treatments from experts,
it is better to understand sedation dentistry, its types, and what you can expect from it.
What Do You Understand by Sedation Dentistry?
Beyond the professionals, it is also important for the
patients to be aware of what is sedation dentistry. So, you must know that
sedation is a type of relaxing agent that will keep you at ease and calm while
the dentists execute the procedures.
In the case of dental treatments, only a moderate amount of
sedation is recommended for the patients. People of all ages who are in need of
sedation during their dental procedures can be given these solutions as the
first approach before operations. Some of the conditions where the use of
sedation becomes very necessary are:
â— Patients
experiencing dental anxiety
â— Overly
sensitive gag reflex
â— The
extreme sensitivity of teeth
â— Fear
of needles
â— Feeling
claustrophobic
â— Lowered
sensitivity to the local anesthesia
What are the Different Types of Sedation Dentistry?
Here are the different types of sedation dentistry solutions
that the professionals have to offer to attend to the special care requirements
of patients. Depending on your anxiety level, health history, personal
preferences, and procedure length, the need for a specific type of sedation
dentistry might differ. So, to help you better understand sedation in
dentistry, here are the most common types being used for the purpose:
â— Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as the laughing gas, will help you
be calm while availing of dental treatments. This gas will be provided to you
through a nosepiece or mask, which will trigger the calming effects within the
next five minutes.
The sedation dentist will control the level or intensity of
the solution to adjust the dosages required for the overall procedure. Once the
treatment is done, the dentist will then provide you with pure oxygen to flush
out all the nitrous oxide in your body to help you be able to drive home
safely.
â— Oral Conscious Sedation
It is the type of sedation that your dentist will be
providing you at least an hour prior to the start of a procedure. Most dentists
prefer using triazolam for the purpose, but some professionals might recommend
using different medications for conscious sedation.
With this type of dental sedation, you will feel a bit
groggy and might even fall into a sound sleep. But you will be able to
communicate with your dentist if that seems necessary. Oral sedation will
temporarily affect the motor or memory skills, due to which you will be waking
up with a gentle nudge post-treatment. You will need someone to drive you home
after the treatment.
â— Intravenous Sedation
It is the deepest form of conscious sedation that's
available within the dental office setting. The healthcare provider offers you
sedative medications directly through the bloodstream using the IV line. During
this procedure, the dentist will be monitoring your blood pressure, oxygen
levels, and blood pressure.
You will adjust the dosage at all points and can also use
the reversal medications when necessary. Most of the people who get the IV
sedation dentistry will fall asleep and might lose their memory of the
treatment at the time of waking up. It is ideal for people with dental anxiety
or those who are undergoing lengthy procedures.
What to Expect During Sedation Dentistry?
When the dentists decide you need sedation before the dental
procedure, they will discuss with you the health history. You must tell them about
all the supplements or medications that you are currently taking.
Once the dentists have gathered all the necessary details,
they will make sedation recommendations based on your specific necessities. In
most cases, during the sedation process, you won't be allowed to drink or eat
anything at least 6 hours before the appointment time.
All the routine medications should be taken as per your
dentist's recommendation, without any interruption. You should be sure to tell
the dentist if you are consuming any blood thinners. If yes, then you will be
asked to skip them a few days before the procedure.
Upon the start of the treatment, sedative medications will
be provided to you at the beginning of the procedure. You will be receiving
local anesthetic for numbing the gums and teeth, but the dentist usually
prefers this to make you feel comfortable upon application of the sedatives.
Only if you have chosen nitrous oxide as your sedative agent
will you be able to drive home all by yourself. But for all the other types,
have someone accompanying you to drive you home, as the sedation effects will
take time to wear off.
Conclusion
So, this is a clear explanation of how oral sedation
dentistry is an important pre-treatment approach for dental operations. Dental
anxiety or fear of pain is something that might keep you away from quality
dental care, which should not be appreciated.
Evans Family Dentistry is one of the best clinics out here, with fine dentists
and modern resources to help you with rightful treatment approaches. If you
think visiting a dentist and getting your oral health treated or operated on is
painful, sedation dentistry by Evans Family Dentistry is introduced to help
ease that feeling.
Book your appointment with us today!