Types of Sedation Dentistry: If you are one of the people who avoid going to the dentist for as long as you can due to fear, sedation dentistry offers good news for you. The sedatives help reduce the anxiety that comes with your dentist’s visit. All the sounds and smells retreat to the back of your mind.
Sedation helps the dentist work without the disruptions associated with anxious and afraid patients. Sedation dentistry enables you to feel calm during dental procedures. With sedation dentistry, you can experience more comfortable treatments without the anxiety, stress, and jitters that can accompany the process.
This post will look at the types of sedation dentistry and who is eligible for it. Read on to learn more.
Overview of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry, also called sleep dentistry, uses medicine that helps patients feel relaxed during dental surgery. It creates a short-term forgetfulness; you get insensitive to pain without losing consciousness.
There are different types of sedation dentistry depending on the level of sedation.
- Minimal sedation: you are awake but stress-free.
- Moderate sedation: you do not remember the procedure and may slur your words.
- Deep sedation: you are almost unconscious, but the doctor can awaken you
- General anesthesia: you are fully unconscious.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
There are different types of sedation dentistry with different applications. The type of sedation used depends on factors such as:
- The dental procedure needed
- The overall health of the patient
- Age of the patient
- The anxiety level of the patient
Considering these factors, the dental surgeon can use any of the following levels of sedation. Each type of sedation dentistry has its effects and recovery.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is popularly known as a laughing gas. With this sedation, you breathe nitrous oxide through a face mask on the nose and mouth. The gas is safe for the organs and is best for children, patients with disabilities, and those with anxiety.
The gas works within two or three minutes of getting into the bloodstream; the dentist can regulate the amount of gas you get, and the effects of the gas wear off minutes after you remove the mask. This is the only type of sedation where you can drive yourself home after the procedure.
Oral Sedation
With oral sedation, the dentist gives you a sedative pill to swallow at least one hour before the procedure. The dentist may use syrups for children. The medication eliminates anxiety and may make you disoriented and drowsy. It also helps reduce the gag reflex and takes away the pain response.
You may fall asleep during the procedure with this sedation, but a gentle shake can wake you up. The recovery period of this type of sedation dentistry is at least eight hours, and you will need someone to drive you home from the procedure.
IV Sedation
With IV sedation, you need to fast before the sedative is administered. This type of sedation dentistry requires a certified anesthesiologist; many oral surgeons get board certifications to administer IV Sedation.
The sedation causes partial loss of consciousness, and you recover within 12 hours. You can comfortably go back to your routine in 24 hours.
General Anesthesia
Dentists use this type of sedation dentistry for lengthy procedures that qualify as oral surgery. With general anesthesia, you have a total loss of consciousness. After the procedure, it takes about 45 minutes to regain consciousness. However, it may take longer depending on the medication the dentist uses in the procedure.
The recovery time from general anesthesia is about 12 to 24 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the risks of sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is safe; however, there is some short-term risk like:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Headaches
- Dry mouth
- Lingering drowsiness
- Bruising from IV
Is sedation dentistry safe if I am pregnant?
Sedation dentistry is not recommended for pregnant mothers as it has the risk of being absorbed by the placenta and may affect the development of the fetus.
When can I eat after sedation dentistry?
Most people wait until the numbness wears off; however, you can eat after the procedure. Start with liquids and work your way up to solids as you feel ready.
Can I drive after sedation dentistry?
For nitrous oxide, you can drive after the procedure. However, for other types of sedation, you can drive after 24 hours when the drowsiness has completely worn off.
What is the recovery time for sedation dentistry?
The recovery time varies depending on the type of sedation dentistry you use. You recover within 30 minutes for laughing gas, while for oral and IV sedation, you will need at least 24 hours to recover fully.
Am I a candidate for sedation dentistry?
Most people are good candidates for sedation dentistry, especially those who fear going to the dentist. It may also be appropriate for people:
- Who have sensitive teeth
- With a bad gag reflex
- With a low pain tolerance
- Who are unable to sit still in the dentist’s chair
- With disabilities, either physical, cognitive, or behavioral
- Who needs a long procedure done
Related Videos about Types of Sedation Dentistry: An Overview :
Types of Sedation Dentistry: An Overview
nitrous oxide sedation in dentistry, iv sedation dentistry, iv sedation dentistry what to expect, do you feel pain with oral sedation, sedation dentistry near me, oral sedation pediatric dentistry, how long does oral sedation last, sedation dentistry reviews,