If you have a fear of the dentist or a severe anxiety about pain, sedation dentistry is an option for you. Sedation can help reduce anxiety and fear so that you can have the procedure done in one visit.
Your dentist can provide intravenous or oral sedation depending on your needs. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is another popular option for sedation.
Oral Sedation
Are you one of the countless people who break out into a cold sweat when you think about going to the dentist? Do you want to keep your appointments, but can’t bring yourself to leave? Perhaps you are concerned about the possibility of having to have your teeth extracted.
Whether you are a nervous wreck or just a little scared, sedation dentistry might be the solution you need to overcome your fears and get the care you need. Monarch Dental offers several sedation options that will make your experience as easy as possible.
Our team uses an oral sedative pill to provide sedation. This is taken about an hour before the procedure starts. This is often in the form of triazolam (Halcion), a Valium-like medication, but we also use other medications that work in a similar way.
When you take the medication, you’ll begin to feel drowsy and may even fall asleep. You will still be able respond to your dentist if necessary.
You’ll notice a calming effect and feeling of relaxation after the sedative has taken effect. You may also feel a tingling sensation that comes along with heaviness in your limbs and hands, making you feel like you’re in a deep meditative state.
Your dentist will keep an eye on your level of sedation during treatment to ensure that you feel safe and comfortable. If we feel you are not adequately sedated, we’ll suggest another option.
Patients with mild to moderate anxiety may find oral sedation helpful. It can also be useful for children, who might have extreme phobias about dental procedures or who simply find them scary.
Oral sedation can be safe but you should not drive or operate machinery under sedation. It can also affect memory so it’s a good idea for you to arrange a ride home after the procedure is over.
Nitrous Oxide
A dentist may use nitrous oxide, also known by laughing gas, to relax patients during routine or more complex procedures. This medication is safe to use on children, adults, and infants. It is a popular dental sedative that can be used to treat mild to moderate anxiety. However it is not sufficient to cause general anesthesia.
Laughing gas is administered through a mask and inhaled into the nose, providing a light, euphoric feeling that helps ease your anxiety. Our dentists will adjust the amount of nitrous oxide to suit your needs, and then administer pure oxygen for flushing it out.
Because it wears off so fast, nitrous oxide is often used for less complicated procedures or for people with slight to moderate levels of anxiety who want a relaxing visit. It is not recommended for pregnant or ill women, as well as for those with breathing problems or for children younger than 12.
Your dentist will talk with you about the risks and advantages of using nitrous dioxide for dental procedures. A medical history form will be completed by you to help your doctor determine if you are a candidate for nitrous dioxide sedation.
A colorless, nonflammable gas, nitrous oxide, has been used since 1844 to analgesics and anesthesia. Its colloquial name, “laughing gas,” comes from its euphoric effects when inhaled. It is safe and can be administered by dentists by covering your nose with a plastic mask.
The effects of nitrous oxide are felt within three to five minutes after inhalation and last for a short time. This sedative may cause a tingling sensation, but it is well controlled and unlikely to cause any serious side effects.
Despite its popularity and safety, nitrous oxide can be stolen and used in other ways. It is illegal to manufacture, import/export, or supply nitrous oxide for human use. However, it is legal to sell and buy nitrous oxide for legitimate use as long as the cylinders aren’t stolen or altered in any way.
IV Sedation
You may not have thought of sedation dentistry as putting you to sleep, but in fact, the drug used during sedation makes you less aware of what’s happening around you. IV sedation is a great option for those who are nervous about their dental procedures, need complex treatment, or struggle to stay awake during appointments.
IV sedation is safe for most patients, but your dentist will need to check your medical history and any medications you’re currently taking before you get this type of sedation. They will also ensure that you aren’t allergic or have any other conditions which might affect the sedative’s effectiveness.
If you are a candidate for sedation, your dentist may prescribe intravenously (IV), a specific medication to sedate you. They will insert a thin needle into your arm or hand, connect it to the IV, and inject the medication into your bloodstream through the vein.
The sedative should be able to start working quickly and you should feel little to no discomfort during your dental procedure. Your dentist may apply a numbing gel to the area if you’re afraid of needles.
In most cases, you’ll wake up with a few moments of grogginess after the sedative wears off. It’s a good idea to have someone drive your home from the dentist and stay with you while you recover.
Your dentist may recommend that depending on your condition, you remain at the dental office until your body is fully awake and ready for you to go home. They will give you instructions on how and when to cancel any other appointments, as well as how to remain comfortable until the sedative wears down.
Unless you’re taking nitrous dioxide, you will need someone to drive you home after the sedative wears off. Be sure to let your driver know how long you’ll be drowsy and to not drive on a busy road. They should also take your temperature, monitor any changes in heart beat or respiratory rhythms.
General Anesthesia
Sedation dentistry is a great option if you are afraid or anxious about going to the dentist. In fact, it may even be the best solution to your problem.
Some dentists use IV sedatives and oral sedatives in order to put patients asleep during dental procedures. While this may work for some people, it is not always the best option for children and people with severe dental anxiety.
Sedation dentistry should not be used as a substitute for general surgery, which is usually performed in a hospital. This type of sedation is the safest option for most dental procedures and requires specialized training to administer.
If you have serious underlying conditions such as heart disease or high bloodpressure, sedation dentistry should not ever be used. People with obstructive or persistent sleep apnea (a condition that makes breathing difficult) may also find it dangerous.
Before you receive sedative medication, your dentist will review your medical history to determine if there are any other conditions that might make it unsafe. If they decide you are a good candidate, they will prescribe the medication. They will also monitor your progress throughout the procedure.
Depending on the sedative medication, you might need to stay in the office for a while after treatment to allow your dentist to monitor your vitals and make sure you are not having a heart attack or stroke. You will need a chaperone to drive you home after the treatment.
After receiving any type of sedation, you can’t drive. Many people choose to have their dentist and dental hygienist accompany them throughout the procedure.
Before you get sedative medications, your dentist will review you health history and ask about any supplements or medicines you are currently taking. This is so that they can recommend the best medication for you.
Sedation dentistry is generally safe and can be helpful for people with moderate to severe phobias or those who have had bad experiences. However, you should discuss any known allergies with your dentist and anesthesiologist before getting sedatives.