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Sedation dentistry utilizes medicine to help patients relax throughout a dental procedure. Sometimes referred to as sleep dentistry or conscious sedation dentistry, though that title is not entirely accurate.
Patients are generally awake, except for those who are under general anesthesia.
Have you ever heard of sedation dentistry? Does the idea of having your teeth professionally cleaned give you goosebumps? Do you prefer the suffering of a significant toothache versus stepping one foot in a dentist’s office? You are not alone. Many people have such a phobia of going to their dental checkup that they typically opt out of oral treatment.
For those who avoid the dentist, sedation dentistry could be the answer to ease their anxiety. Oral sedation is often used for everything, from invasive procedures to routine teeth cleaning. How a dentist uses it will depend on the severity of a person’s fear.
Oral sedation dentistry enables Dr. Kumar T. Vadivel DDS to perform simple and complex dental procedures in a safe and pleasant environment for patients who have dental phobias.
You breathe nitrous oxide – also referred to as laughing gas – blended with oxygen within a mask that is placed atop your nose — the gas assists in relaxation. The dentist regulates the amount of sedation. This type is the only form of sedation that may allow you to drive yourself home after oral surgery.
Oral sedation ranges from minimal to moderate. Minimal sedation consists of taking a pill named Halcion, which is in the same drug family as Valium. The pill is taken approximately an hour before the procedure. The medicine will make you tired, though you will still be alert. A more substantial dose may be administered to provide moderate sedation.
This anesthesia is most commonly affiliated with advanced sedation dentistry. Some patients become groggy enough from oral sedation that they fall asleep during their surgery.In this case, you receive the sedative drug intravenously, so it begins to work more quickly. This allows the dentist to adjust the level of sedation continually.
Patients receive medication that makes them almost unconscious or completely unconscious — genuinely asleep — throughout the procedure. While under general anesthesia, the patient is not easily awoken until the anesthesia wears off.
Regardless of the type of sedation you choose, you’ll almost always need a local anesthetic – numbing medicine administered at the site the dentist is operating in the mouth – to reduce pain if the procedure causes any discomfort.
Pediatric sedation dentistry is appropriate for people with fear or anxiety that deter them from going to the dentist.
Pediatric sedation dentistry may additionally be appropriate for those who:
Children who are terrified of visiting the dentist may be given sedation. A small percentage of pediatric dentists provide oral sedation. For children, oral sedation dentistry is safe when administered within the recommended dosage for the child’s respective age and weight.
The majority of dentists can administer minimal sedation, such as nitrous oxide. A growing number of dentists can provide moderate sedation. Dentists who have completed the CODA certification in deep sedation and general anesthesia can practice these more advanced sedation dentistry techniques. Some dentists employ a dental anesthesiologist who is specially qualified to provide all levels of sedation and anesthesia.
Every state’s dental board regulates the application of sedation techniques.
When receiving anesthesia, there is always a risk; however, it’s usually safe when administered by trained dentists. Those who are obese or who have obstructive sleep apnea should talk to their doctor before receiving sedation.
It’s important to verify that your dentist is authorized to administer sedation. Be a vigilant patient and make sure the following things are done:
No, dental bonding isn’t painful. When Dr. Hamlett or Dr. La Mastra applies bonding to repair a tooth, they are only working on the surface of the tooth. Some people may experience tooth sensitivity after the procedure is finished, but this is often easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and typically goes away quickly.
No, dental bonding isn’t painful. When Dr. Hamlett or Dr. La Mastra applies bonding to repair a tooth, they are only working on the surface of the tooth. Some people may experience tooth sensitivity after the procedure is finished, but this is often easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and typically goes away quickly.
No, dental bonding isn’t painful. When Dr. Hamlett or Dr. La Mastra applies bonding to repair a tooth, they are only working on the surface of the tooth. Some people may experience tooth sensitivity after the procedure is finished, but this is often easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and typically goes away quickly.
No, dental bonding isn’t painful. When Dr. Hamlett or Dr. La Mastra applies bonding to repair a tooth, they are only working on the surface of the tooth. Some people may experience tooth sensitivity after the procedure is finished, but this is often easily managed with over-the-counter pain relievers and typically goes away quickly.
No, you don’t feel pain with sedation dentistry as dentists use a combination of sedation and anesthetic to keep patients relaxed and pain-free during the procedure.
Yes, IV sedation is the most expensive form of sedation dentistry. The reasons include the cost for sedation training, credentialing, additional equipment expenses, and licensing fees.
Usually, the anesthetic effect lasts anywhere from four to six hours. Still, you may experience numbness and tingle for up to 24 hours after the procedure.
After sedation dentistry, you may feel a bit loopy or groggy; therefore, driving is not permitted.
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