Dental Sedation
Dental Sedation
The Fear Of Dentistry Is Not Permitted; We Have 21st Century Sedation Technology
Many people have a fear of going to the dentist, some going to great lengths to avoid it and unfortunately, when you have problems with your teeth it is unwise to do so. “Dental Phobia” is so common that it is said to affect up to 15% of the population. For those that do suffer from this phobia, dental sedation is usually their only key to getting the dental work they need done. People wanting to get sedation to get their teeth fixed should first talk to their dentist first to determine their level of anxiety. This will help the dentist decide what type of treatment will be best suited for them.
There are different types of dental sedation available, the four primary options being oral sedation, inhalation sedation, intravenous conscious sedation, and deep intravenous sedation. They vary in strength, depending on the level of anxiety suffered by the patient.
Oral Sedation
In dentistry, oral sedation is often referred to as using “happy pills”. They are prescribed to relieve a patients anxiety in the hours leading up to the actual dental appointment. There are also some pills that you can take the night before to help you get some rest as well.
Inhalation Sedation
Inhalation sedation or “laughing gas” is the process where a patient will inhale nitrous oxide. They experience a happy and pleasurable feeling, while numbing any pain. It usually only takes around five minutes for the effects to set in and can be maintained throughout the dental procedures.
Intravenous Conscious Sedation
With intravenous conscious sedation, anti-anxiety drugs are administered via your blood stream. During this form of sedation, you will remain awake and coherent, even being able to understand and respond to your dentist if they talk to you. However, despite the conscious state, it is unlikely that you will be able to fully remember the procedure due to the extremely relaxed state of mind that is induced.
Deep Intravenous Sedation
Deep intravenous sedation is another form of dental sedation in which drugs are also administered through your blood stream. In this form of sedation you will not be awake, therefore you will not be able to respond to your dentist or remember anything that went on. As with any procedure carried out under anesthetic, some people may also need help with breathing during this type of sedation.
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