Sedation dentistry keeps one comfortable during dental procedures. It’s usually beneficial for people with dental anxiety or if you’re undergoing lengthy treatment.
Options include intravenous (IV) sedation, nitrous oxide, and oral conscious sedation. Dentists must have a special certification to provide some forms of sedation dentistry.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry helps one feel relaxed, calm, and at ease during dental procedures. It’s a moderate level of sedation, so you’ll be still awake but feeling very carefree.
It’s sometimes called “twilight sleep” or conscious sedation dentistry because it creates a state of short-term forgetfulness. During this state, you experience insensitivity to pain without losing consciousness.
Who Needs Sedation Dentistry?
People of any age can benefit from sedation, including children. If you have the following qualities, you should go for sedation dentistry near you:
- A fear of visiting the dentist
- Dental anxiety
- A fear of needles
- Extreme teeth sensitivity
- An overly sensitive gag reflex
- Have special needs, including behavioral, physical, or cognitive
- Decreased sensitivity to local anesthesia
Types of Sedation Used in Dentistry?
We have varying levels of sedation dentistry in South Simcoe Dental Care based on your unique needs. Factors include the length of your procedure, level of anxiety, personal preferences, and your health history. The three common types of oral conscious sedation are nitrous oxide and intravenous (IV) sedation.
Nitrous Oxide
This type is also referred to as laughing gas. You inhale nitrous oxide through a nosepiece or a mask, and calming effects begin within three to five minutes. The dentist controls the amount of sedation one receives and adjusts dosages accordingly throughout the procedure.
Once the treatment is complete, our dentist in Bradford will give you pure oxygen to flush the nitrous oxide out of your system. Then, because the laughing gas leaves the body quickly, you’ll be able to drive yourself home.
Oral Conscious Sedation
With this sedation, your dentist will give you sedative medication, usually in pill form, about an hour before the procedure begins. Dentists often use liquid sedation in pediatric dentistry, such as midazolam oral syrup.
Oral sedation makes one quite dizzy, and you may fall asleep. But you can still communicate with your dentist if necessary, and you’ll be awakened with a gentle nudge. However, you’ll need a friend or a family member to drive you home after the procedure because the oral sedation temporarily affects your memory and motor skills.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation
IV sedation type is the most profound form of conscious sedation for dental work. Your dentist will deliver sedative medications directly to your bloodstream through an intravenous line.
Your dentist will monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels during the procedure. Then, they can adjust your dosage if necessary and can use reversal medications.
Most people who receive IV sedation dentistry usually fall asleep and have little to no memory of their treatment when they wake up. Therefore, IV sedation is best for people undergoing lengthy procedures and severe dental anxiety.
How to Prepare for the Procedure
You always talk with your dentist about sedation options during your initial consultation. They’ll need to know about your health history and ask about any supplements and medications. Once they have the information required, they’ll make recommendations based on your specific needs.
- You shouldn’t eat anything for eight hours before the appointment. Eating less than eight hours before the procedure can result in vomiting, hospitalization, or aspiration.
- You shouldn’t drink water at least eight hours before the procedure. You should rinse your mouth and teeth well but try not to swallow the water.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages
- Remove any jewelry or contact lenses before the surgery time.
- Wear short sleeve and loose clothing which are comfortable
- You shouldn’t smoke at least 12 hours before the surgery
- On the day of surgery, avoid wearing excessive lipstick, makeup, or nail polish
- A responsible adult should accompany you to drive you home after the procedure
What Happens During Sedation Dentistry Procedure?
The best sedation dentist near you will give you sedative medications before starting your procedure. The dentist will also give you a local anesthetic to numb your gums and teeth. But your dentist will do this once you’re feeling comfortable with sedatives.