A lot of confusion surrounds the expression “sedation dentistry.” Many dental professionals refer to the use of general anesthesia as sedation, but the reference is imprecise. In truth, administering intravenous sedation requires an additional level of training that the majority of dentists lack. While many dentists profess to “sedate” their patients, far fewer are actually qualified and trained to administer a sedative intravenously. You should ask your dentist what type of sedation they commonly give to their patients. Also, inquire about their level of experience and the types of equipment they use to monitor patients once sedated.
How Sedation Dentistry Can Help You
With sedation dentistry, dental patients no longer have to worry about pain or other discomforts during their dental procedure
Introduction to sedation dentistry
The term “sedation dentistry” refers to the use of sedatives during dental procedures. Sedatives are chemical substances that act directly on the central nervous system and induce sleep. During the entire procedure, the patient will not experience pain or anxiety because the sedatives will numb the pain. Sedatives are generally used in painful procedures or in procedures that take a lot of time to perform. It is also a very good option for treating patients who have dental phobia, chronic fear of dentistry.
What happens during a dental visit?
During sedation, the patient will not be completely unconscious. Depending on the type and kind of sedative used, you may feel slight drowsiness but still, be conscious. However, you will not experience pain or anxiety during the procedure. This is the main goal of sedation dentistry – to keep the patient relaxed and calm during dental procedures.
There are different types of dental sedatives. The kind of sedatives to be used will be determined by the dentist after reviewing the medical history of the patient. The degree of dental anxiety will also be taken into consideration. Moderate sedatives are available in the form of pills and stronger sedatives are usually given intravenously. In the past, sedatives were mostly administered intravenously, but today, with all the scientific advancements sedatives come in the form of pills. They are given one hour before the procedure because they take some time to act. In patients who have a fear of needles, oral administration is a better option.
Does sedation dentistry have any effects?
Sedation dentistry doesn’t have any serious side effects. The only side effect is that the patient may experience some drowsiness for some time after the procedure. Special care should be taken – for example, it is better to avoid alcoholic drinks before and after the procedure is completed. This is because alcohol can interfere with sedatives. Sedation dentistry is very safe and if you are afraid of dental procedures, it can make all the difference!
Do you get anxious about seeing your dentist? If so, you might end up skipping necessary dental appointments. This is not good for your teeth or your general health. If the reason you are afraid of going to your appointments is the mere thought of possible pain or discomfort, then you should try sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry might be the right thing for you!