Sedation Dentistry: Relaxation instead of fear in the Dentist’s Chair

Maintaining oral health is more important than most people perceive it to be. It is often taken for granted, which can be even more problematic if the person undergoing the dental procedure fears it. Instruments used in dentistry can be intimidating and are prone to drive people away due to their appearance. Therefore, practitioners have found a perfect alternative to tackle it.

For people who are anxious to go to the dentist, sedation dentistry can help to make things easier for them. Now you don’t have to go through the unbearable pain, whether it is a minor toothache or a major surgery. Sedation dentistry can take away some anxiety.

But what exactly is Sedation Dentistry?

The method of using sedation to keep you numb and fear-free during dental procedures is known as sedation dentistry. In case you are wondering what sedation is, sedation is the use of a medicine or procedure beforehand that reduces consciousness and minimises pain. Sedation dentistry is also known as “sleep dentistry”.

The amount of sedation depends accordingly, though these levels can be used on the patients:

– Minimal sedation keeps you tranquillised yet keeps you conscious.
– Conscious sedation or profoundly known as Moderate sedation keeps you relatively awake, but you might forget the whole procedure and surrounding.
– Deep sedation dazes your mind leaving you on the brink of consciousness though, your doctor can wake you up whenever it is needed.
– General anesthesia completely sends you into unconsciousness and often leaves you unresponsive.

Can my local dentist perform sedation dentistry?

General doctors can use basic sedation techniques that may numb out decent levels of pain. Though dental experts at DOCS Education say that complex forms for sedation must be performed by professionally qualified dentists only. Intensive use of sedatives can be harmful if handled by someone who is inexperienced in this field. Doctors who have been through special training in sedation and own a valid permit must be the only one to perform this procedure. At Muswell Hill Smile our professional dentists and dental nurses are trained to administer oral sedation and they also provide entertainment via a big screen above the dentist chair to distract and calm their patients during the dental procedure.

What are the types of sedation used?

Sedations that are generally used by doctors in dentistry can vary:

• Oral Sedation: It is the most commonly used form of sedation where any oral medication is prescribed to the patient according to the level of sedation intended. Oral drugs such as Ativan and Valium are used in such a method of sedation.
• Laughing gas: Nitrous oxide or profoundly known as laughing gas is used to sedate the patient with its low dosage. It helps the patient to relax easily, while it quickly wears off, which makes it trouble free for both doctor and patient.
• Intravenous moderate sedation: It allows the doctor to inject sedatives directly into your veins and the freedom to control its level. It provides relief from nausea as you may not be fully awake yet conscious enough to get back when the doctor needs you.
• General Anesthesia: In order to achieve deep sedation, doctors use general anesthesia to sedate the patient. They can be fully unconscious or fall into a deep slumber during procedures by the usage of general anesthesia.

Can anyone go through sedation dentistry?

Your dentist is most likely to recommend you if you need sedative dentistry according to your case and health. Sedation dentistry, although, is safe for people of any age but it is most advisable for patients:
● Suffering from severe dental anxiety
● Have a low pain tolerance
● Have sensitive teeth
● Are going through extensive dental procedures
● Have a strong gag reflex

It is also used for children that are scared of going to the dentist or cannot sit still in a dentist’s chair. Then the level of sedatives is recommended by the pediatricians.

Is sedation dentistry safe?

Sedation dentistry is a very common practice these days, which is safe for people at any age if carried out properly. Albeit there is always a risk factor that persists if handling anesthesia, but that is most likely to diminish with the help of an expert at its job. Make sure your dentist goes over your medical history or take notes of your current health. If you are suffering from any disease, the doctor will decide whether you’re eligible for the dose or not. Do not hide any information related to your health before a dental procedure.

Gone are the days when visiting a dentist sent shivers up your spine, now with the help of sedatives you can have a pain free experience. Get expert consultation from your local dentists on sedation dentistry and relax in the dentist’s chair.