Sedation Dentistry
Want to know a secret? Dentistry does not have to be painfulor scary.
It is important to know that a visit to the dentist can be a positive experience, even when treatment is necessary. Millions of people, nearly 30%, are afraid of the dentist. They avoid dental care at all costs, even when they are in pain or discomfort. But it no longer has to be that way. Modern dentistry offers safe, effective, and comfortable treatments to anxious and fearful patients.
You may have heard this treatment described in many ways: anxiety-free dentistry, or relaxation dentistry, especially in states where conscious sedation dentistry is regulated. Also used are terms like moderate sedation, oral conscious sedation or even sleep dentistry, though this last should be applied only to general anesthesia . The best and most accurate name is sedation dentistry.
These terms describe a way for you to get the care you want while you remain comfortable. Ask your dentist which level of sedation dentistry he or she is qualified to provide.
Dental fear is a hidden phobia, like many people, you may be embarrassed to admit your fears and even more afraid to confront them. Often times not even your loved ones are aware of your apprehension. Worse yet, you may have never known that sedation dentistry was an option. Not anymore! Sedation Dentistry is not scary and can be pain free dentistry.
Nitrous oxide sedation
It is called inhalation sedation because the patient inhales nitrous oxide through a mask or nasal cannula, which relaxes and distracts them. This method of sedation is good for light procedures or routine visits to the dentist. It is best for people with low levels of anxiety and not frequent to panic attacks.
Medical Nitrous Oxide is delivered through a mask covering the nose or a nasal cannula into the nostrils from a storage tank. Today's masks allow the dentist to precisely and control the flow of the gas. It safely mixes nitrous oxide with oxygen to keep you conversational and aware, while suppressing any painful sensations. The normal mixture is 3 parts nitrous oxide and 7 parts oxygen, although your dentist can strengthen or weaken the mixture depending on your comfort and level of relaxation.
An added benefit to inhalation sedation is that you can drive yourself to and from your dental appointment. You do not need a friend to pick you up after the appointment because the effect of the gas wears off quickly and you will be fine to drive within a few minutes. Remember to always listen to your dentist, only they know when you are ready to leave.
Intravenous sedation
In reality, you remain conscious during IV sedation. You will also be able to understand and respond to requests from your dentist.
However, you may not remember much about what went on because of two factors: firstly, in most people, IV sedation induces a state of deep relaxation and a feeling of not being bothered by what's going on. Secondly, the drugs used for IV sedation can produce either partial or full memory loss (amnesia) for the period of time when the drug first kicks in until it wears off. As a result, time will appear to pass very quickly and you will not recall much, or perhaps even nothing at all, of what happened. So it may, indeed, appear as if you were "asleep" during the procedure.
With this type of sedation, medications (midazolam) are administered directly into the blood stream by iv. cannula. An extremely thin needle is put into a vein close to the surface of the skin in either the arm or the back of your hand. This needle is wrapped up with a soft plastic tube. The tube stays in place throughout the procedure.
After IV sedation you need to be escorted by a responsible adult and don't perform any strenuous or hazardous activities and don't drive the rest of the day.
Do not eat and drink anything for at least 2 hours prior to the sedation.
More information about sedation dentistry
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