Do you tremble with fear every time you think about getting your teeth cleaned? Are you someone who will go through the pain of a toothache instead of visiting a dentist? Well, you aren’t alone. Many people have a phobia of visiting their dentist for any kind of treatment. Sedation dentistry can help you reduce your anxiety, and get the requisite treatment. It can come in handy for anything as simple as a regular tooth cleanup or invasive implant procedures. The use may vary depending on the level of fear of the patient.
You can reap the benefits of restorative or preventive dentistry using an easy and comfortable approach. World-class doctors and restorative services with an optimistic outlook can help increase your overall confidence. If you are in Michigan, you can check out a few of Ann Arbor’s dentist options before making the final selection.
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Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry helps patients relax during a dental procedure with the use of medication. It is also known as sleep dentistry, though it isn’t an accurate description because the patient is usually awake during the procedure.
The various levels of sedation include:
- Minimal sedation – a patient is awake but relaxed
- Moderate sedation – a patient may experience slurred speech and not remember much of the process
- Deep sedation – a patient has consciousness and can wake up easily
- General anaesthesia – the patient is in a state of complete unconsciousness
Types of Sedation
Various types of sedation are used in dentistry. Inhaling nitrous oxide using a mask can help you relax. Your dentist will monitor the amount of gas you will require. You can drive home by yourself after the procedure.
Oral sedation varies from minimal to moderate, depending on the dosage administered. Minimal sedation typically involves a pill. Increasing the dose helps get moderate sedation. Intravenous moderate sedation methods are also available that help achieves quick results.
In deep sedation and general anaesthesia, medication helps reach an almost unconscious state. You can’t work under the influence of general anaesthesia until its effects wear off.
Irrespective of the type of situation you are in, you will need to have a local anaesthetic. The numbing medication on the site will help relieve pain while the dentist is working.
Who Can Benefit from Sedation Dentistry?
Many people can benefit from sedation to cope with the anxiety or fear that prevents them from visiting a dentist. It can be appropriate for people who:
- Have a low capacity to endure pain
- Can’t sit still on a dentist chair for a prolonged period
- Have sensitive teeth
- Need for a lot of dental work
- Don’t have a great gag reflex
Sedation is also used to help terrified children cooperate during a dental procedure. Nitrous oxide is safe for children, and any dentist can administer the same. The percentage of pediatric dentists with knowledge of oral sedation is low and is safe if done within the recommended levels.
How Safe Is Sedation Dentistry?
Administration of anaesthesia by an experienced dentist is always safe. However, if someone has a condition like obstructive sleep apnea or obesity, they should consult their doctors before anaesthesia administration. Such patients can develop complications from anaesthesia.
You must visit a dentist who has the required qualifications and training to administer anaesthesia. You should be vigilant during the process to ensure that the sedation happens properly.
Your medical history is of paramount importance, and your dentist should go over it. It will also help your dentist to identify whether you are the right candidate for sedation or not. They may even ask you about any other medication you may be currently taking.
You can enquire about your anaesthetic’s dosage and verify whether it is appropriate based on your health and age. Understanding whether the same is within the permissible levels as per FDA is vital too. A dentist with a higher number of sedation experiences is preferable.
You can get a form with a detailed list of the procedure. You should carefully check it with your dentist. If you are unclear about anything, don’t hesitate to ask questions.
Your dentist will monitor your vitals during the entire procedure as per the regulatory body’s guidelines. They should have an artificial ventilation system to support and reverse the effects of sedation.
As you can see, sedation dentistry can help get rid of your fear and anxiety related to dentistry. The various types of sedation can help take care of any dental procedure, from a simple cleanup to implant surgery.
