Sedation dentistry provides an opportunity for patients to receive dental treatment while completely and safely asleep. Dental phobia is a common occurrence in many dental patients which ultimately handicaps individuals from preventing and treatment oral health problems. The Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation reports that 30% of patients deny themselves the dental care they require for fear of undergoing treatment.
Sedation dentistry is safe, comfortable, anxiety-free, and best of all can allow you to receive the dental care you need minus the apprehension. With sedation dentistry apprehensive patients will find themselves smiling more and fearing less. Don’t compromise your oral health for fear of treatment.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
A sedative is a drug that is administered to the body to create a relaxed, calm state similar to sleep. In dentistry, sedation can be used for a variety of procedures to help the patient feel more at ease during treatment. Traditionally the options for sedation have been limited to the inhalation of nitrous oxide (more commonly known as laughing gas) or intravenous sedation where the sedative is injected via needle through the blood vessels found in the hand or arm. However, today’s dental technology brings with it the option of oral sedation requiring no needles at all. Patients who chose to undergo oral sedation are prescribed a pill (Halcion) which they are to take one hour prior to their visit. When they arrive at their ‘ dentist, they will be awake but feeling relaxed and very drowsy. The patient is then immediately escorted and seated in the dental chair where their vital signs are monitored throughout the entire appointment. Patients will not be permitted to drive after sedation. When the patient is fully awake they will feel stress free and relaxed.
Remember: Sedation is NOT an anesthetic and so sedation alone will not provide any pain relieving qualities. A local anesthetic will also be administered in addition to the sedative to ensure patient comfort and safety. The anesthetic will be injected into the mouth after the patient is already sedated so patients will not be bothered or even remember having the injection.
Patients opting for oral sedation must arrive and leave their appointment accompanied by a responsible caregiver providing transportation to and from dental clinic. It is advised that the caregiver also remain with you following the procedure for two to four hours in the comfort of your home.
Why Sedation Dentistry ?
Many patients chose sedation dentistry during extensive dental procedures such as smile makeovers or other restorative treatment requiring multiple appointments. Sedation dentistry allows complex procedures to be performed in fewer visits as the patient does not experience the time frame of the procedure. Patients often feel as though their appointment lasted but a few minutes when in fact it may have taken hours to perform. Some patients may have denied themselves the dental procedures they’ve either always wanted or required for fear or anxiety of undergoing treatment. Sedation dentistry offers the means of achieving and maintaining your best smile possible without the stress. Sedation dentistry allows patients to overcome their fear of dental treatment and so patients are more likely to come for routine care. If you experience dental phobia or anxiety, don’t place your oral health on the back burner. Neglecting to treat any problems you may have, can allow them to develop into more serious complications. Oral health is important. Contact your dentist about sedation dentist.Sedation or Sleep Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is sometimes incorrectly referred to as sleep dentistry. This term is misleading as the patients never actually ‘sleep’ during the procedure. The effects of the sedative cause the patients to feel the effects of sleep, but in fact they are awake the entire procedure. In sedation dentistry, the body is relaxed and patients are not likely to remember much from the treatment.
