Facts: More than 70 percent of patients prefer the use of sedation even for small procedures.
Sedation dentistry is a technique used to keep patients calm during dental procedures using sedatives. The most common sedatives used in the procedure are tranquilizers, anxiety medicines, and nitrous oxide.
Initially, sedatives would only be administered through intravenous methods. With the advancement in dental technology, it is now possible to do this without injections.
Studies indicate that at least one in every ten people not seeking dental treatment do so because of dental phobia. Several myths surround dental procedures, which make most people afraid of the simplest procedures.
The dentist often selects the kind of Sedation to use after assessing a patient’s dental history, general health, and anxiety level. The dentist may ask you a few questions to also establish whether you are allergic to some of the medications used in the sedatives. Afterward, they will decide on the type and dosage of the right option for you.
Sedation provides several benefits when used correctly. Lengthy dental procedures, such as those that involve surgery may make you nervous. Putting you under sedation ensures that you remain relaxed throughout the process.
Sedation also helps reduce the number of appointments you need to make at the dental facility. Lengthy surgical procedures that could not be completed in a single appointment can be done effectively under sedation.
Additionally, the procedure gives you more confidence about your decision to undergo surgery since you will not experience any anxiety during the process. The fact that you will not experience any pain encourages you to visit the dental facility for similar procedures in the future.
Levels of Sedation
Like any other form of sedation, dental sedation is done at different levels, depending on the complexity of the problem being resolved. For instance, a patient undergoing regular teeth cleaning may be mildly sedated using laughing gas to make the dentist’s work easier.
More advanced forms of sedation may be used in patients with extremely sensitive teeth. While sedation is not necessary in every dental procedure, it has proven to be very useful in cases where sensitivity, pain, and anxiety are an issue.
Application
Sedation dentistry varies from patient to patient. It is used to serve various purposes at the same time. Patients who have experienced trauma when undergoing dental surgery may find it difficult to undergo a similar procedure without sedation.
In some cases, sedation is used to relieve the patient from pain, and this is common when performing gum surgery. Chronic jaw pain, as well as neck and back pain, are common during dental surgery. Individuals who experience such pain find it hard to sit in the dentist’s chair for more extended periods. Sedation helps minimize discomfort. Even during the extraction of teeth with deep roots, sedation will be required to help manage the pain.
Sedation is also common in patients who cannot remain still during the surgical process. Such individuals will distract the dentist, and may compromise the effectiveness of the entire process. Using sedation makes these individuals calm.
Complicated treatment plans, such as periodontal treatment can sometimes cause anxiety among patients. Periodontal patients often face serious health issues that may not be resolved entirely. Sedating these patients ensures that they remain calm and that the dentist gets adequate time to handle all the complications at once.
Individuals who detest dental appointments with no particular reason are excellent candidates for sedation.
You can take sedation medication in two ways – orally or intravenously. Your dentist may allow you to choose the option that suits you the most depending on your situation.
If you choose oral sedation, your specialist will explain each of them and their levels of effectiveness so that you do not make a misinformed decision. Sedation medications also affect individuals differently and you might need a family member to assist you home and stay with you until the medication’s effect fade off.
Sedative dental care is not offered in all dental clinics. If you need to undergo a dental procedure that requires sedation, you should check out for the best service provider with the most effective options.
Going to a clinic that does not offer sedation dentistry means that you will be treated without anesthesia, and you may not like the experience. Different levels of sedation are associated with different training requirements for the dentist.
Work With a Specialist Dentist
It is essential to ensure that the specialist carrying out the procedure is skilled enough to perform the procedure. It is a requirement that the dentist does not sedate you without informing you first.
