Why Should You Choose Sedation Dentistry?

Why Should You Choose Sedation Dentistry?

Apr 01, 2022

Many people, especially children, fear dental procedures. Most of them are anxious about the potential pain or discomfort they might experience. If that’s what has prevented you from visiting your dentist for routine checkups and treatment, sedation dentistry can help.

Sedation dentistry helps patients feel relaxed, calm, and pain-free during dental procedures. Dental sedation can be for both minor and complex treatments such as tooth extraction, dental fillings, root canals, dental implants, gum surgery, and more.

In general, the level and type of sedation mainly depend on the type and length of the procedure. Before administering sedation, your dentist will review your medical history to determine whether it’s the right option. Dentists often recommend sedation dentistry for several reasons, including:

  • Dental anxiety
  • Fear of visiting a dental clinic
  • Sensitive gag reflex
  • Extreme teeth sensitivity
  • Fear of needles (aichmophobia)
  • Patients with special needs – physical, behavioral, or cognitive
  • Difficulty controlling movements
  • Decreased sensitivity to local anesthesia
  • Feelings of claustrophobia in the dental chair

What to Expect during Sedation

Before sedation, the dentist will discuss your medical history and options. They may want to know about existing conditions, supplements, or medications you’re taking. Tell them if you have experienced side effects or allergies from sedation. This information helps the dentist determine the best sedation options for you.

Depending on the type of sedation you’ll be having, your dentist will guide you to prepare. You shouldn’t consume anything for at least six hours before your appointment. You might also need to skip certain medications. But always, follow your dentist’s instructions strictly.

The dentist will sedate you once you get to the dental office before beginning the procedure. There are varying levels and types of sedation that you can have. Factors that determine this depends on the length of your procedure, your health history, level of anxiety, and your personal preferences.

How Does Sedation Work?

There are three types of sedation used in dentistry, including:

  • Nitrous oxide

Commonly known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide administers through a mask or nosepiece. The sedation takes effect very quickly, within 3-5 minutes. The dentist will control or adjust the level of sedation depending on the procedure. Throughout the treatment, you’ll feel calm, relaxed, and pain-free. You may also feel a tingling sensation and general numbness throughout the body.

However, you’ll still be awake and can communicate with your dentist. Once the procedure is over, your dentist will give you a mask with pure oxygen to flush out the nitrous oxide from your system. Thankfully, the sedation is easy to wear off, and you might be able to drive yourself home after the appointment.

  • Oral sedation

With oral sedation, your dentist will give oral medications, mostly in the form of a pill, about an hour before the procedure. Oral sedation makes you relaxed, somehow dizzy, but you’ll still be conscious and awake. If you fall asleep as some people do, you can be awakened easily and communicate with your dentist, if necessary. You might not have any dental memory of the procedure. Since oral sedation affects your physical and memory skills, it takes time to wear off, and you will need someone to drive you home.

  • IV Sedation

IV sedation is the deepest type of sedation administered directly into the bloodstream through an injection. The sedation is monitored and adjusted throughout the procedure as needed. This sedation is only offered by a trained and approved anesthesiologist or health care providers. When the sedation takes effect, you’ll be completely unconscious and have no memory of the treatment.

We recommend IV sedation for severe dental anxiety and complex and lengthy procedures such as surgeries. Contact an oral surgeon near you if you need a surgical procedure. You will need someone to drive you home after the procedure.

Risks or complications of sedation dentistry

Generally, sedation dentistry is safe when offered by a trained and approved health care provider and at the correct levels. While minor and rare, typical side effects of sedation dentistry include:

  • Lingering drowsiness
  • Headaches
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Dry mouth – xerostomia
  • Bruising from IV
  • Sleepiness
  • Allergic reactions and Irritability

Contact a dentist right away if you experience any severe or persistent side effects. For more information about dental care and sedation dentistry in Edison, NJ, contact KK Dental Edison.

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