Dental sedation allows patients to relax while they have dental work done. This is a great option to those with anxiety or who require extensive treatment.
Your dentist will review all your medical history and medication lists to determine which type of sedation is best. You will be able choose from general, IV, and oral sedation.
IV Sedation
IV sedation can be a great option for patients suffering from severe anxiety or fear. It can also help with anxiety and pain during procedures.
A needle is inserted into your arm or hand to administer IV sedation. The medication will relax you. During the procedure, the doctor should monitor your breathing and blood pressure.
You will feel relaxed and sleepy once the sedative has finished working. You may not even remember the dental procedures. This is a great option for those with severe or moderate dental anxiety. It can also help you get the work done quickly.
Talk to your dentist to discuss what to expect before you undergo IV sedation. Your medical history will be reviewed and a physical exam will determine if you are eligible for sedation.
If you are a candidate for IV Sedation, your dentist will give you medication to take before the procedure. These sedatives should wear off quickly and not interfere with your ability drive or to do other normal activities following the appointment.
Your dentist will be able read your body to determine if you are experiencing sedation. This can be done by reading your body’s natural response to the sedative medication or by adjusting the dose of the sedative.
Depending on the type of sedative that you receive, you may experience partial or complete memory loss. Although it can be disorienting not to have a clear recall of what happened during your procedure this is quite common and will usually disappear after the drug has worn off.
Although this type of sedation won’t put you to sleep as general anesthesia, it will allow you to remain awake and be able to follow the dentist’s instructions. The sedative can also cause you to lose your sense of time, so that the procedure will feel as though it has passed by in a flash.
Nitrous Oxide
One of the most popular forms of sedation is Nitrous oxide, also known by laughing gas. It is used in both adults and children to treat dental anxiety.
The gas is inhaled through a mask that covers your nose. The dentist can adjust the dosage to ensure you remain calm and awake throughout the procedure.
Many patients find that using nitrous oxide helps them relax enough to have a pleasant and painless dental experience. It can be used for procedures ranging from simple cleanings to complex restorative treatments.
Before nitrous dioxide can be administered to a patient, they must discuss the procedure and share any pertinent medical history. This helps the dentist determine if nitrous oxide is an appropriate option for them.
Patients will experience a feeling of relaxation and well-being after nitrous dioxide is administered. Some report that they feel “dreamy” and their arms and legs may feel tingly.
Nitrous oxide is often administered in the dental chair with oxygen. This combination produces the best results. The mixture is absorbed quickly into the bloodstream. If it is inhaled through a nose, it can reach your brain quickly.
After the nitrous dioxide has been administered, your dentist will ask you to lie back in the chair. The dentist will then place a mask on your nose and turn on nitrous oxide.
The effects of Nitrous Oxide are quick and you will be able to feel comfortable during the procedure. You can also get home safely afterward. You should arrange for a trusted friend/family member to drive you home after you have had nitrous oxide administered.
Pragma Dental OKC has the answers to your questions about sedation dentistry and nitrous dioxide. We can answer your questions and help you schedule your next appointment.
Our office is available to help you find a caring, compassionate dentist in Oklahoma City. We look forward to seeing you and helping you maintain a healthy, beautiful smile.
Oral Sedation
If you are dreading a dental procedure or have anxiety about it, oral sedation can be a great way to relieve your fears. This type of sedation involves taking an oral pill, usually one hour before the procedure. The pill will make it feel relaxed and drowsy, but you can still respond to the dentist.
Your doctor will adjust your medication’s dosage and the time it should be taken. The effects of the sedative will last for 24 hours after your procedure.
Oral sedation is the most common method of reducing anxiety and discomfort during dental procedures. It is safe and effective for patients with moderate to severe anxiety and fear.
It’s also a good option for patients who may be allergic to other types of sedative medications. Your dentist should know about any medications you take or have taken in order to determine if you are eligible for sedation.
Before recommending oral sedation, your doctor will discuss the benefits and risks of the procedure. Most patients tolerate it well. It is safe, effective, and comfortable.
Oral sedation can be used to reduce, or even eliminate, pain during dental treatments. It is often combined to provide more comprehensive pain relief during complex procedures.
There are many medications that can be used to administer oral sedation. Your dentist will determine which one is best for you based your individual needs. They will check your vitals before and after the sedation to ensure you’re not experiencing any complications or side effects.
Oral sedation can also be used for minor dental procedures like fillings or cleanings. It can also be used to perform major dental procedures such as extractions and root canals. It can also be combined to IV sedation or Nitrous Ox to provide a deeper level for more complicated procedures.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia (GA) is a type of sedation that puts you completely asleep for the entire dental procedure. It can be used to perform longer procedures like the removal of wisdom teeth or the placement of dental implants.
This method of sedation can be more complicated and requires an experienced dentist to administer it. It is usually recommended only in cases when IV sedation fails or patients with extreme fear and anxiety.
Your dentist or oral surgeon will need monitor your breathing and vital signs in order to administer GA. This includes your heart rate and blood pressure. They may also need you to be injected with an anesthetic drug or gas that puts you to sleep, such ketamine, propofol, desflurane or desflurane.
If you’ve been taking pain or anxiety medications before your procedure, you should let your sedation dentist know about them so that they can adjust the sedation level to keep you safe. You should also tell them if you’ve ever had a reaction to anesthetics in the past.
According to the American Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM), sedation dentistry can be a safe and effective method to treat common dental issues. However, it is important to remember that sedation can make you feel groggy, especially when given at high doses.
The two levels of sedation that are most commonly used for medications are minimal sedation (which causes mild drowsiness) and moderate sedation (which causes more severe drowsiness). A pill such as Halcion is used to provide minimal sedation. This pill should be taken about an hour before the procedure.
Moderate sedation usually means that you are slightly drowsy but still able to respond to commands from your dentist. It’s a good choice for older children and adults who are afraid of the dentist or who have complex dental needs.
Although general anesthesia is not recommended for most dental procedures, it can be used for those with very severe dental anxiety or patients with special dental needs. It’s a fairly expensive option, so it should only be considered in extreme cases such as severe pain or high levels of anxiety.