Do you dread making a dental appointment? Does the thought of a dental procedure fill you with anxiety? You’re not alone. Some people are so afraid of undergoing treatment at the dentist that they’d rather bear the pain of a toothache, even one that’s severe.
If you feel the same way, dental sedation may be for you. Whether your worry is pain or the trip to the dentist itself, it’s one option you can always take up.
What Is Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation is a form of sedation given to patients to make them feel relaxed and comfortable throughout their treatment. It’s sometimes referred to as sedation dentistry or sleep dentistry, although the term sleep dentistry isn’t entirely accurate. For most, a moderate level of sedation is enough and the patient remains conscious and awake, although there are also times when deep sedation is required.
This type of dentistry can be used for any treatment, from a simple tooth cleaning to invasive procedures like periodontal surgery or implants.
Who Needs Dental Sedation?
So who would need dental sedation and why? From the length of the treatment to the patient’s comfort, the reasons to take sedation are plenty. Here are some:
• Dental Anxiety: if you’ve got a deep phobia of the dentist, needles, or anything dental. Patients who fear a dental appointment may opt for sedation. This allows you to pass an otherwise stressful time calmly.
• Gag Reflex: if your issue is the discomfort of having instruments in your mouth, you can go for sedation instead and skip the nausea.
• Pain Relief: if the thought of pain makes you back off, that’s fine too. If you have a low threshold for pain, dental sedation gives you a more comfortable experience.
• Lack Of Time: if you’re having a lot of dental work done and need several trips, you can go for sedation and have it all finished in one sitting. This saves you future visits and time you’d rather use for something else.
What Are The Levels Of Sedation?
There are different levels of sedation, and the type of sedation prescribed for you will depend on your history, your treatment, your level of anxiety, and your preferences.
• Minimal sedation: recommended for patients with mild anxiety and patients undergoing short procedures. Under minimal sedation, you are awake but relaxed. You retain consciousness and are able to respond to the dentist’s requests. Minimal sedation will most likely come in the form of nitrous oxide and oxygen mix or oral anti-anxiety medication.
• Moderate sedation: for patients with less manageable anxiety or patients taking invasive treatments. With moderate sedation, you are conscious but groggy. You can still communicate with the dentist but may not remember the procedure. Sedatives are administered through pills or liquid.
• Deep sedation: for severe anxiety or long, painful procedures. Deep sedation renders you almost unconscious, but you can wake with a bit of help. Sedatives are administered directly to your bloodstream by an IV. Upon awakening, you may forget that the treatment has happened at all. Deep sedation is generally referred to a specialty practice.
• General anesthesia: reserved for only complex cases, general anesthesia induces a complete loss of consciousness. General anesthesia can be inhaled or administered through IV. As with deep sedation, General anesthesia procedures are referred to a specialty practice – most often an Oral Surgeon.
Who Can Administer Sedation?
Most dentists can administer minimal dental sedation and an increasing number are able to do moderate sedation. However, only a small percentage of them can administer deep sedation to general anesthesia. In case your dentist can’t, he or she will usually recommend a dental professional who does.
Fear of dental procedures doesn’t mean you have to put off dental care!
Fear of dental appointments is nothing to be ashamed of, but it should not stop you from getting the care you need. Sedation dentistry is an effective way of ensuring dental health and wellness without disregarding your feelings of anxiety.
To know more about sedation dentistry and the services we offer, call us at 541.708.6288.
Recent Comments