The mere idea of going to a dentist might evoke fear and anxiety in a majority of people. Most of this fear and anxiety can be traced to the fear of past experiences, the pain or the very nature of some of the procedures. Nonetheless, in this age and time, there are developments that dental medicine has gotten that can change some factors that make one dread their dentist visits. Enter sedation dentistry.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry involves use of some medications to assist patients remain comfortable and calm during various dental procedures. Though it is sometimes also called โsleep dentistry, this is not completely accurate. Most patients remain conscious, this includes those who are not put under a general anesthetic. The following are the levels of sedation provided:
Minimal sedation โ You are awake but you are relaxed.
Moderate sedation โ You are aware of everything that is happening around you but may be vague in your speech. No one will recall any specific details of this procedure well after it is over however.
Deep sedation โ You are very drowsy; yet, you can easily get up.
General anesthesia โ You are totally comatose.
The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
1. Eases Anxiety
Sedation dentistry has been of great help in most of the cases by alleviating anxiety in patients. Dental anxiety and phobia can keep people in dire need of dental attention until it reaches a shocking level where the oral health is at grave risk. They can be sedated and therefore enable them to undergo treatment without experiencing the trauma of going to the dentist.
2. Itโs Pain-Free
Patients do not feel pain since sedation takes a rather numbing approach to pain management. This is effective especially for complicated and long procedures including root canal therapy, removal of teeth and insertion of implants.
3. Gag Reflex Eliminated
The presence of a human beingโs gag reflex can prevent a good amount of dental work from being done comfortably. In such cases, sedation dentistry can help as it eliminates the gag reflex and makes it easier for the dentist to work and the patient to feel more comfortable.
4. Saving Time
The procedures may also seem to last only a few minutes even though they have not been concluded yet. Sedation comes in most handy in the dental unit as far as lengthy and complicated procedures that could take even hours are concerned. This is beneficial for the doctor as in the middle of the treatment, there is no need to call back the patient for further treatments.
5. Acceptance
When it comes to patients who require informed consent before corrective procedures can be carried out, it is best that they remain calm and in one position. This can have good results both for the dentists and patients by improving the efficiency of the processes and outcomes.
6. Limited Memory of Treatment
One great problem that most patients may have is the fear of the very painful chomping down of tooth tools on their mouths; for such patients the recollection of the procedure may be equally as traumatizing as actually going through the procedure. Sedation helps to reduce or even get rid of the memory of the undertaking which in most cases is very useful in alleviating the anxiety after the visit.
How Sedation Dentistry Works?
1. Consultation and Assessment
Therefore before administering any sedation, there has to be a thorough consultation done. Your dentist will do a medical history check review, address the concern of dental anxiety and make a recommendation concerning the level of sedation required. This is to ensure that sedation is administered to the specific patients without any risk of complications.
2. Types of Sedation
Inhaled Minimal Sedation: You inhale nitrous oxide (laughing gas) mixed with oxygen with a mask covering your nose. The gas acts to make you comfortable. The level of sedation you are given can be altered by the dentist and it does not last for long after the treatment.
Oral Sedation: A deeper level of sedation can be achieved based on the total dose of oral sedation given. In the case of minimal sedation, you usually only take, for example, a pill. Usually, this pill is Halcion, which belongs to the same drug family as Valium. The onset of action, however, is around one hour.
IV Moderate Sedation: In this case, the sedative drug is given by injection into a vein therefore the effect is faster. This technique enables the dentist to manage the degree of sedation throughout the procedure.
Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia: Here you are going to receive either a number of drugs that will leave you if not fully asleep then almost so enough for the task to be conducted or something close to that procedure. This is the most profound of all the states and one cannot easily be aroused until such a time that the anesthetic and its effects wears off or are induced with counteracting medications.
3. During the Procedure
During sedation, you would remain alert but in a highly sedated state. Although some patients may enter sleep, they can be readily stimulated into a state of alertness if required. Your safety would remain of paramount importance and regular monitoring of your vitals would be done throughout the procedure.
4. After the Procedure
You must have someone take you to your appointment as you might have some disorientation after this procedure and it is especially important so someone is there to make sure you do not drive yourself back home. The length of the recovery tends to depend on the type and the level of sedation being used but for most patients it takes a few hours to go back to their usual activities.
This type of dentistry has come as a relief to many patients who have not accessed dental facilities because of different fears and forms of embarrassment. It provides an environment that is stress-free and painless so that oral health is not compromised.
Are you ready to undergo some sedation dentistry where you will be at ease and not filled with anxiety throughout your time at the dental clinic? Please do not hesitate to get in touch with Dr Monica Gobran & Associates as soon as possible. You can either visit drgobran.com or reach us at 508-753-3200 to schedule your appointment. This is where you will commence your journey to a more pleasing smile!