Understanding Sedation Dentistry in Details

Dental fear is a condition that exists in many dental patients as they sit or wait to sit on a dentist’s chair. Sedation dentistry can help you overcome your feelings of anxiety and fear. If you come from Calgary and happen to be among persons who experience fear or anxiety when going for dental procedures, Toothworks is a dental clinic you can visit to get sedation dentistry near you.

Definition of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is a branch of dentistry that involves the administration of sedatives before and during dental procedures to help patients get comfortable and relaxed during treatments. Dentists in Calgary use sedatives when performing oral care services such as tooth extractions or cosmetic dentistry procedures. Patients who choose to be sedated will have no recollection of the undergone procedure, and neither will they have anxiety or fear in a dental chair.

The Different Types of Dental Sedation

1. Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as laughing gas, is ideal for people with dental anxieties when undergoing a moderately painful procedure. This sedation method can also benefit kids who have trouble sitting still in the dentist’s chair. When this form of sedation is chosen, a gas mask is placed over the nose of the patient, and they are instructed to inhale the gas. Nitrous oxide was given the name “laughing gas” because it makes patients giggle. You should note that laughing gas will not put you to sleep. You will, however, feel comfortable throughout the process. Upon completion of your procedure, your dental practitioner will give you a mask containing a hundred percent oxygen. This helps to eliminate nitrous oxide from your system.

2. Oral Sedation

Pill sedation, or in other words, oral sedation, is one of the three types of sedation used by dental practitioners to keep patients calm during oral procedures. Unlike IV sedation (intravenous sedation) and nitrous oxide, this form of sedatives is taken in pill form hours before the appointment. Oral sedative drugs achieve their effects by reducing activities in the part of your brain that controls fear. Once the effects kick-in, the patient appears more relaxed and in a calm mood, thus allowing the dentist to do what he/she is supposed to effectively. Pros

• No needles involved – Most people who tend to have fear for a dentist also fear needles. Needles are usually used when IV sedation is being administered. When it comes to this sedation type, all you have to do is take the prescribed sedative orally sometime before the dental appointment.
• Responsive – All though patients under oral sedation feel drowsy, they tend to be responsive and awake during the treatment process and are thus able to clearly listen and properly respond to the dentist’s instructions.
• Administered easily – Of the three sedation types available, pill sedation is the one that’s easily administered because all the patient has to do is swallow the pill.
• Safe – Since the Canadian Dental Association has approved the use of oral sedatives, it is highly unlikely for one to experience any harmful side effects.
• Amnesia – When a strong dosage is given, the patients will barely remember the dental procedure’s proceeds.

Cons

• Its effects do not kick in immediately – The effects of nitrous oxide and IV sedation are quickly felt moments after they are administered. This is not the case when it comes to pill sedation, and that is why patients are required to ingest the pill in advance before seeing the dentist.
• A person under this medication cannot drive themselves to the appointment – Patients under oral sedative drugs are not supposed to drive themselves and are encouraged to find someone who will take them to and from the dentist’s office.

3. IV Sedation

IV sedation employs the use of IV to safely and effectively administer medications that will heavily sedate the dental patient. It is usually recommended during complex dental procedures such as oral surgery. Throughout this process, the patient is closely and continuously monitored by the team of practitioners. Sometimes, more medication can be administered to restore alertness or reduce the discomfort of the patient. Patients opting for this sedation method are not supposed to eat or drink anything 8 hours prior to the procedure. For more information about sedation dentistry, visit a certified dentist near you.