If the thought of going to the dentist fills you with fear, sedation dentistry is a great solution to help you relax while you receive the oral health care your teeth require. While the act of using sedation at the dentist is sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry,” most sedation dentistry options leave patients awake during their services.
From mild sedatives to more intense relaxing agents, there are plenty of sedation dentistry options available for patients:
Laughing Gas
Laughing gas is administered through a mask that covers your nose so you can inhale a safe combination of nitrous oxide and oxygen. The fast-acting calming agent produces subtle sedation to take the edge off during your dental visit. Your dentist easily controls the strength of laughing gas, so they can adjust the level of sedation as needed throughout your appointment. Effects of nitrous oxide cease shortly after the mask is removed. Then you’ll return to a normal state, and likely won’t have to worry about driving home.
Oral Medication
Your dentist can prescribe one or more oral sedatives of varying strengths to take before your appointment, depending on your level of anxiety. Patients who receive prescription anxiety medication will feel a sense of calm yet remain fully conscious throughout their dental services. Effects from such pills are designed to be powerful and long-lasting, so patients will need to arrange transportation to and from their dental appointment.
“Twilight” Sedation
Twilight sedation is a good fit for those who suffer from extreme dental phobia. Mild IV sedation induces a trance-like serenity delivered straight to your bloodstream, allowing the sensations to experience it’s impact quickly. Though patients are conscious throughout IV sedation, the effects are so substantial that some don’t remember much about their appointment afterward.
General Anesthesia
Anesthesia is the only type of dental sedation that involves patients being completely unconscious throughout a procedure. The strongest of all sedation dentistry options, it is also the most complex to administer. General anesthesia must be performed in a hospital where trained medical professionals can track patients’ vital signs.
A patient’s type of sedation should consider their level of anxiety and general health. Are you interested in getting some help relaxing in the dentist’s chair? Contact Dentistry at East Piedmont today to see if sedation dentistry is right for you!
