Sedation can be used to alleviate dental anxiety and discomfort. There are many types and styles of sedation. Each patient’s needs will dictate which type is best for them.
Your dentist will need to review your medical history and ask you about any medications that you are taking before administering any sedatives. This is to ensure the sedative is appropriate for you and that any possible complications will be addressed.
Nitrous Oxide
One of the milder forms, known as laughing gas, that dentists use to relax patients and make them feel comfortable is Nitrous oxide. Although it doesn’t put patients to sleep but it can make them feel tired and dull their pain receptors in their brains, it won’t put them to sleep.
It’s a colorless, odorless and non-toxic gas that dentists use to calm patients during minor dental procedures. It can be a great choice if you are nervous about your dental visit.
This form of sedation can often be combined with oral or IV sedation. Dentists ensure that patients are comfortable and receive the right level. Because nitrous oxide is so mild and effective, it’s a safe and reliable option for most patients and is routinely used in many dental offices.
The doctor will fill a small mask with laughing gas, and you’ll inhale it through your nose. The gas will be absorbed into your bloodstream, and you’ll feel very drowsy within minutes of inhaling it.
If you are pregnant, have a serious medical condition or are on certain medications, it’s important to talk with your dentist about whether you can receive nitrous oxide at your appointment. It’s also important to tell your dentist about any allergies you have and any other medications you are taking.
After your nitrous Oxide appointment, you may need a friend or relative to drive you home. It is important that they are familiar with you and can provide care for you if needed. The sedative medication will wear off soon after the procedure is over, so you’ll need to allow yourself a full hour or more to rest and adjust before heading home.
Like any other drug, nitrous oxide can cause side effects and can be harmful to those who abuse it. Mixing it with other drugs can make it even more dangerous. If you think that someone has stolen nitrous oxide, call the police immediately and ask them to track down the perpetrators.
Oral Sedation
If you’re someone who is incredibly anxious about going to the dentist, then oral (or non-IV) sedation might be the right option for you. Sedation dentistry is available for everything from a simple cleaning of the teeth to more complicated procedures like root canals and bone transplants.
Sedation dentistry can often be administered in pill form without any discomfort. It is a great choice if you have moderate to severe anxiety, fear about needles, or phobias of dental work.
Before your appointment, our sedation dentist will give you a prescription. This medication is usually called Halcion. It is part of the Valium family. It can cause minimal sedation.
The sedative will keep you feeling very relaxed but conscious during your procedure, and you’ll be able to answer questions or respond to requests from the dentist. Even though you may fall asleep during your visit you can still wake up if needed.
After your sedation procedure, a friend/family member can drive you home. No matter what type of sedation you choose to use, cancel all appointments and refrain from doing intense physical activity or work until you feel better.
Oral sedation is the most common type of sedation used by dentists, and it’s a safe and effective way to manage your anxiety. However, it cannot be used without a doctor’s approval. Before scheduling any sedation appointments, you should have a thorough discussion with your physician.
If you have any concerns about the safety of oral sedation, our team will be happy to talk to you about it. We’ll review your medical history and discuss the potential long-term and short-term effects.
During your sedation appointment, our sedation dentist will make sure your heart rate and blood pressure are monitored while you’re under oral sedation. This ensures your safety, and that you are not a danger to others during your procedure.
Intravenous sedation
Intravenous Sedation can be a safe and effective option for anxious patients who are nervous about dentists or other dental procedures. This type of sedation is administered directly through your veins and is more effective than either oral or inhalation.
IV sedation is also used to ease pain during and after procedures. Often, some form of opioid analgesic is added to the IV sedative to provide additional pain relief and a reduction in the need for larger doses of the sedative drugs.
IV sedation is a better option than inhalation or oral sedation for many reasons, including:
IV sedation has the obvious advantage that it can be customized to suit your needs. Your dentist can adjust the level of sedation for each procedure to ensure that you remain calm and relaxed.
IV sedation has another advantage: the medication is delivered directly into your bloodstream. This means that they reach your system faster than oral or inhalation drugs. This makes it easier to titrate the sedative medications for each patient and ensures that your treatment is as safe as possible.
Because you are already in a deep relaxation state when you receive IV sedate, you won’t feel any pain fear or discomfort. Your dentist can use light touches or verbal commands to keep your mind and body relaxed during your procedure.
Most people who choose IV sedation for their treatment are healthy, active adults. You should check with your doctor if you are over 50 or have medical conditions that could make IV sedation less effective.
If you’re suffering from severe dental anxiety, your dentist might recommend Intravenous Sedation as a way to help you overcome your fears and get the treatment you need. This option allows you to undergo multiple dental procedures in one appointment, without having to return for additional visits. However, it can also save you money down the line.
Dental professionals use Intravenous Sedation most often to make anxious patients feel relaxed during dental procedures. This is especially useful for patients who have a gag reflex and require extensive dental work. It’s also beneficial for patients who have severe phobias or are extremely afraid of sharp equipment and needles.
General Anesthesia
General Anesthesia is a method of inducing unconsciousness that’s often used for surgeries and dental procedures. General Anesthesia is safe and has a low risk of complications if it’s administered correctly by an experienced professional.
General anesthesia is used by dentists and surgeons for more complicated procedures such as wisdom tooth extraction or complex dental implant surgery. It keeps patients comfortable and relieves pain.
When you’re going under general anesthesia, you’ll have a medical professional called an anesthesiologist oversee the procedure and monitor your vital signs, such as your heart rate and blood pressure. These doctors are some of the best in their field, and their education can make a difference between life and death for you.
Before you are anesthesiologist and dentist, they will meet with you and your family to discuss the benefits and risks of the procedure. They will also review your health history and medications.
To ensure the safety of your procedure, you will be asked not to eat or drink for several hours prior to your appointment. Occasionally, people who undergo procedures that include general anesthesia develop nausea or vomiting after they’re asleep.
Once you’re in bed, the anesthesiologist will insert an endotracheal tub into your nose to allow you breathing. This will keep you from choking, or stopping your breathing, while you’re receiving anesthesia.
The anesthesiologist will also monitor you throughout your procedure, making sure that you’re not having any problems or experiencing any discomfort. They may also monitor your temperature, heart rate, and breath.
You can experience four stages of general anesthesia. Stage 2 is also known as “excitement, delirium”. This stage can be dangerous as it can cause rapid heartbeats and uncontrolled movements.
It can also cause uncontrolled vomiting. If you vomit, your anesthesiologist will give you medications to help stop it.
General anesthesia isn’t used for most procedures anymore, but it’s still useful in some situations. It can be helpful in patients with certain conditions, such as a high tolerance for drugs that are used to make you drowsy, and for older adults who have health issues like acid reflux or infections.