What are the types of sedation are used in sedation dentistry?

1. Inhaled sedation

In inhaled sedation, you breathe in nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, together with oxygen. You will be asked to wear a mask over your nose to make inhalation possible and effective. This is a very common form of sedation and it helps you relax greatly while on the dental chair. You don't fall asleep with this kind of sedation but it is very effective in making you feel less anxious about the dental procedure you are about to experience. Most dental clinics provide this kind of sedation and it is very safe to use.

2. Oral sedation

Oral sedation involves taking a pill for minimal sedation. Typically, the pill given is Halcion which is almost the same as Valium. You are to take the pill an hour before your treatment. The effect of the pill is drowsiness on your part but you will not fall asleep. For moderate sedation, a larger dose will be given. This will make you groggy which might even put you to sleep during the procedure. However, the sleep is light and you can easily be awakened with a gentle shake.

3. IV sedation

In Intravenous or IV sedation, the sedative drug is made to pass through your veins so that it can work more quickly. The level of sedation can easily be adjusted by the dentist. You won't fall asleep with this kind of sedation but you will not be aware of what is going on in your treatment. This process requires recovery time after you leave the office.

4. General anesthesia

General anesthesia usually makes the patient almost unconscious or completely unconscious or deeply asleep during the procedure. The drugs or anesthetics used are injected directly into a vein and you may also be required to inhale a gaseous anesthetic. You cannot easily be awakened when under general anesthesia. When the effects of the anesthesia wear off, that is the only time that you can be awakened. Before leaving the clinic, you will need thorough recovery time.

What is oral sedation dentistry?

Oral sedation dentistry is a dental procedure where you administer sedative drugs through the mouth so that a dental procedure can be performed while reducing the patient’s anxiety related to the experience. Oral sedation is one of the available methods of conscious sedation dentistry.

Approximately an hour before the dental procedure, the patient will be required to take initial medication. Additional dosing may be included in the treatment which is to be taken the night before the appointment. This is to help the patient from experiencing anxiety-related insomnia. Oral sedation dentistry is a safe procedure. Dosages given are well below levels that can impair breathing.

Who can benefit most from oral sedation dentistry?

1. Those with light to moderate dental fear and anxiety.

People who are afraid of the dentist or the dental procedure will most likely delay, postpone or permanently avoid dental treatment. These patients are difficult to handle even when they decide to get treatment. This is why sometimes there are treatment delays. But with oral conscious sedation dentistry, their fear and anxiety can be overcome. The fearful patient can turn into a fully cooperative one. This procedure is for those who have light to medium dental anxiety. If the dental phobia case is severe, then the patient may be required to have general anesthesia.

2. Those who have time constraints.

If you are busy and cannot take repeated time off for your dental visit, you can benefit from oral sedation since it offers fewer appointments. With oral sedation, a patient can tolerate longer dental treatments without feeling tired or uncomfortable. The patients are very much relaxed and cooperative. This makes it possible for multiple complex procedures to be performed in one dental visit or fewer dental visits.

3. Those with a severe gag reflex.

If a person is nervous during a dental procedure, he may experience gag reflexes. The patient, during such situations, can either start to choke or sputter. With oral sedation, a patient can be very relaxed even if he has an over sensitive gag reflex. This will make the dental experience more comfortable for him and the dentist as well.

4. Those who cannot tolerate long dental visits.

Sometimes prolonged dental treatments can make your jaw sore or can give you neck and back problems. But with oral sedation, your muscles will relax. This will allow the patient to receive lengthy dental treatments and the soreness from the procedure will be reduced.

5. Those with difficulty in getting numb.

If a patient does not get numb immediately, he will need to have several injections for local anesthetics to be effective. Having several injections can be very uncomfortable for a patient especially if he is afraid of needles. But with oral sedation, you can become relaxed no matter how many local anesthetics are injected in your mouth.

What are the advantages of oral sedation dentistry?

1. Oral sedation dentistry is very effective.

With oral sedation dentistry, a fearful and anxious patient can have a very successful dental treatment since he will be fully relaxed and comfortable while the procedure is ongoing.

2. It is easy to administer oral sedation.

From all of the sedation methods, oral sedation is the easiest one to administer. You simply need to swallow a pill before your appointment. You don't need to wear any mask and you don't have to be stuck with a needle.

3. Oral sedation does not use needles.

You don't have to worry if you are afraid of needles since oral sedation doesn't use them. Sedation comes by simply taking a pill. If you have a phobia for needles, then this is one of the important advantages of oral sedation. Even if you need a shot for anesthesia, it won't matter because, with oral sedation, you will already have been relaxed and comfortable.

4. Oral sedation is safe.

No severe adverse reactions are experienced taking oral medication before a dental procedure.

5. An oral sedative is very suitable and accepted well by patients.

There are relatively few contraindications taking sedative pills to relive anxiety for children and adults. And most patients are more accustomed to taking pills or medications by mouth rather than by other means.

6. Oral sedative has an amnesic effect.

The side effect of taking oral sedatives is that it leaves you with little or no memory of the dental procedure performed under their influence. So, no traumatic experiences are ever remembered, if there possibly was one. This is an extra advantage of oral sedation.

It is common for people to fear the dentist. Some people find it difficult to deal with it. But with sedation dentistry, a patient can have his fears and anxieties put aside and be more relaxed during a dental procedure. This way their oral health is not compromised.

If you want to learn more about the services that we offer, contact us here. We can provide you with the best dental care while making you feel right at home. At AZ Specialty Dental, you can learn more about oral sedation dentistry. We accept walk-ins and emergency dental services every day. And, we are open on weekends and holidays.