Can Sedation Dentistry Help you Relax at the Dentist?

sedation dentistry

If the thought of having to sit in a dentist’s chair makes your entire body tense and your palms sweaty, chances are that you are a good candidate for sedation dentistry. Some people may even choose to avoid the oral surgeon’s office altogether, enduring the agony of their current pain than undergoing a procedure that could eliminate it altogether.

Take a breath and relax

For those that cannot face the anxiety and pain, there is sedation dentistry. The methods of sedation dentistry can take away all traces of anxiety, relaxing patients into a dream-like state of painlessness. Essentially, sedation dentistry uses medication to sedate patients for a variety of dental procedures, whether one is undergoing a tooth implant or just simple teeth cleaning.

This type of dentistry is sometimes known as “sleep dentistry,” where patients receive sedation to a point of almost being put to sleep. During this state, they are usually aware of what is occurring to their body and their general well-being.

We will customize the treatment to your needs

However, not every patient has the same needs, nor does every dentist office use the same methods. There are a number of “levels” of dental sedation that oral surgeons and dentists use to put their patients at ease. These include:

  • Minimal sedation: the patient is awake but relaxed.

  • Moderate sedation: the patients may slur their words when speaking and not remember much of the procedure.

  • Deep sedation: the patient is on the edge of consciousness but can still be awakened.

  • General anesthesia: the patient is completely unconscious.

The following types of sedation are a common choice for oral surgeons and dentists:

Breathing nitrous oxide combined with oxygen

Also known as laughing gas, patients breathe this through a mask that is over their nose. The effects typically only last as long as the patient is breathing the gas. After we remove the mask, the patients will return to a normal mental state.

Oral sedation (In pill form)

While the pill will make the patient drowsy, they will still be in a waking state. The dosage will vary on how much sedation is necessary, as well when we administer the pill (either the night before or an hour before arriving at the office). This method is for moderate to extensive procedures, where a patient may need to remain still for a long period of time.

IV moderate sedation

This is where patients receive the sedative drug through a vein, which works more efficiently than just pills. This is due to the amount of sedation being adjustable during the procedure.

We can help you receive the oral health care you need

For instance, a patient may not fear the procedure itself, but have an innate sense of fear when it comes to local anesthetics by a needle. Others may have such anxiety that their body actively “fights” the procedure and needs dental sedation methods to offset those who have  a low pain threshold, difficulty sitting still in the dentist's chair, have very sensitive teeth (or an aversion to those touching their mouth), a bad gag-reflex, or need a large amount of dental work completed.

Even further, some have a fear of going anywhere near an oral surgeon’s office altogether and need to be completely unconscious. Luckily, some methods of sedation dentistry have an amnesic effect on patients, where those who undergo these methods have no recollection of having work done–or even visiting the office altogether.

Request an appointment in our Chicago dentist office here: https://totalcaredentalchicago.com.

Related Posts

What Causes Dental Anxiety

The fear of going to the dentist has long been a trope used in almost every medium of popular culture, but dental anxiety is a real problem for many people. An excessive nervousness or apprehension that builds before a dental appointment is not uncommon among many Americans. Even those who do not consider themselves to…

4 Things Your Dental Practice Wants You To Know About Oral Hygiene

Just about every patient who visits a dental practice will leave with a few tips about oral hygiene. Dental professionals can be a valuable resource for how to keep the mouth healthy and can talk at length about oral hygiene. Here are four things a dentist may want you to know about how to care…

Learn The Difference Between A Dental Clinic And A Dental Office

Many people use the terms dental office and dental clinic interchangeably. The confusion is understandable, but they are not exactly the same thing. Dental offices have to contain a dental clinic, but there are also dental clinics that exist in places other than dental offices.A dental clinic is a place where a dentist performs oral…

What Are The ADA's Recommendations For Dental Care During The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Prevention And Treatment Efforts?

In the wake of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) outbreak, officials are telling people to stay home. There are cases where you can still leave your home, including getting medical care. In some cases, dentist offices may still be open to provide emergency care for patients. The American Dental Association (ADA) has issued COVID-19 guidelines. Dentists…