Some people are terrified of the dentist. Routine cleaning and restorative care scare them so much that they do not go to the dentist. Sedation dentistry can change all of that. There is no need to avoid the dentist. Keep reading for information about sedation dentistry and who does it.
There are many Good Dentists in My Area who perform sedation dentistry. As more people experience anxiety, medical professionals are responding to meet their needs.
What Are the Types of Sedation?
There are several types of sedation for dentistry. Nitrous oxide, sometimes called “laughing gas” is the most common form of sedation in a dental office. Nitrous oxide does not put patients to sleep but helps to reduce their anxiety. Patients inhale nitrous oxide through a mask and are usually calm within a few minutes. During the procedure, the dentist controls the amount of nitrous oxide that the patient receives. Patients often remember the work but not the details of it.
Enteral sedation involves a liquid or pill that a patient takes orally before a procedure. During enteral sedation, the patient becomes very sleepy and often sleeps through procedures. Patients can still communicate with the dentist, and they can be awakened.
During IV sedation, the dentist injects a sedative into a vein. IV sedation is the deepest form of conscious sedation available in a dental office. During the procedure, the dentist continually monitors the patient’s heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen. Most people who have IV sedation do not remember any of the procedures.
General anesthesia is the deepest sedation possible. General anesthesia allows the patient to be completely unconscious during dental work. Usually, an anesthesiologist or a specially trained dentist provides general anesthesia in a hospital or surgery center. General anesthesia is used for children, individuals with disabilities, and people with severe anxiety.
Who Performs Sedation?
Most dentists can provide nitrous oxide, but they must have additional training, equipment, and emergency supplies to administer other types of sedation. Not every dental office will be able to provide these.
What Are the Risks?
Sedation dentistry is usually safe when done by an experienced dentist. Sometimes, patients with other health conditions, including obesity or sleep apnea, will experience complications during sedation. A dentist should discuss a complete medical history with a patient, review medications they are taking, and determine any risks. Sometimes, a dentist will require a patient to be cleared by their primary care doctor before administering any dental sedation.
While sedation is usually safe, there are always risks. Patients may experience lingering drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, headaches, dry mouth, or bruising from an IV. Occasionally, patients will have an allergic reaction to a drug, but dentists have drugs to counteract this.
Everyone should be able to receive good dental care. Anxiety and fear do not need to keep people from getting the care they need. Good dentists will take care of their patients by keeping teeth in top condition while ensuring patients are stress-free.
