Sedation dentistry allows patients to be very relaxed during their dental treatment. Dr. Dailey reviews each patient’s medical history and their level of comfort while in the dental office.

If a patient feels anxious or will be having extensive dental treatment, using an oral sedation medication prior to the appointment allows the patient to rest peacefully during the procedure. Many times the patient vaguely remembers coming to the office and comments on how it was the easiest dental visit they have ever had.

Sedation dentistry–what an exciting topic. First off, what does it mean, and is it for you? Well, it says that a person’s sedated while undergoing some dental process, such as having a cavity filled, for example. Sedated has a few different meanings or at least one sensor with varying levels of intensity. You can be lightly sedated–that is, the dentist can make you feel dreamy and faraway and optimistic, but you’re still basically all there, even basically with it–and you can be densely or sedated, which means you’re not conscious of what’s going on at the moment. Most people don’t like to be sedated at all, they want to feel they’re in control, but then again–most people don’t like paying a visit to the dentist either.

Sedation dentistry, is it for you?

The answer to these questions, for the most part, can only be answered by you, because you are the world’s first and foremost expert on your specific reactions to having dental work done. Dental work is a pretty overwhelming experience for many people, and for some, it’s positively terrifying. Therefore, when considering sedation dentistry of any intensity, you should carefully ask yourself what you need for your dental work to be done right and with as little misery (for you and your dentist) as possible.

Just the thought of having their teeth cleaned would make some people tremble with fear. Such people would no doubt endure the agony of a severe toothache than walking into a dentist’s clinic and obtaining appropriate treatment for it. The phobia of visiting a dentist’s office has reached alarming levels in such patients. If you fall under this category, don’t worry, you are not alone. Many patients dread the feeling of visiting a dentist’s office even for the smallest thing.

Sedation dentistry could offer some solace for such kind of patients. It may help to take away some of the anxiety of patients who are having dental phobias. This brand of dentistry could be used for simple teeth cleaning processes and more dental severe invasive procedures alike. Sedation dentistry is also referred to as “sleep dentistry.” But you will not be sleeping during the dental procedures. A mild, moderate or strong sedation agent will be used in this instance depending on the simplicity or severity of the dental system. Patients are fully awake during the dental procedures except for patients who are under general anesthesia. It is one of the best cures for dental phobia patients.

There are many levels of sedation used in sedation dentistry practices. Minimal, moderate, profound sedation, as well as general anesthesia, are the primary levels of sedation dentistry. Minimal sedation will keep you awake and relaxed throughout the dental procedure. Moderate sedation is also known as conscious sedation will help you to be a bit aware during the process, but you may not remember what happened during the procedure. Deep sedation implies that you are still awake to a certain degree. When you are administered general anesthesia, you are unconscious during the whole process.

There are many types of sedation used during sedation dentistry procedures. Inhaled minimal sedation is a type where you are forced to breathe laughing gas or nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen through a mask placed on your nose. The dentist will monitor the amount of gas administered on you depending on the severity of your condition. The gas tends to wear off pretty quickly during this method. You won’t have any problem driving back home after the dental session when this procedure is used.

Oral sedation is the other type of sedation dentistry. If the dentist thinks that minimal sedation would do in your condition, he or she will give you a Halcion pill which is similar to Valium. The tablet should be taken about one hour before the dental procedure. This pill will make you, but you will be awake during the whole process. The dosage of sedation received here will significantly depend on the severity of your dental condition.

The other type of sedation dentistry is IV moderate sedation. In this method, the dentist will administer the sedation drug through a vein. The amount of the drug would depend on the severity of your condition. This method works faster than swallowing a pill. The other type of sedation dentistry is called deep sedation or general anesthesia. You will be unconscious during this procedure. You will not awaken until the effects of anesthesia recede.

Even the above sedation types are commonly used, you will still require a numbing medication in the mouth to get rid of pain if the procedure causes any discomfort. Sedation dentistry is usually considered safe for patients with severe anxiety when meeting up with a dentist. Patients with a low pain threshold, those who are having sensitive teeth and patients who need to complete a large amount of dental work are also considered eligible candidates for this method.

Even though sedation dentistry comes without any side effects, anesthesia can be risky for individual patients at times. People who are obese and those who are suffering from sleep apnea should inform their dentist about these conditions before sedation is administered upon them. These type of patients are prone to develop complications during anesthesia. Your dentist should be qualified and experienced in managing anesthesia during dental procedures. It is highly essential to make the whole process a success.