Sedation Dentistry: Relaxing in the Dentist’s Chair

If you find yourself scared of visiting the dentist or undergoing dental procedures, you might benefit from sedation dentistry. Most people dealing with dental anxiety would rather endure pain from dental issues instead of meeting with the dentist. Sedation dentistry can help you deal with your dental fears and relax in the dentist's chair. The dentist can apply sedation for invasive and simple procedures to ensure that you do not feel anything during the treatments. The application of sedation dentistry depends mainly on the nature of the dental anxiety.

Overview of sedation dentistry

Sedation dentistry uses medication to keep patients relaxed in the dentist's chair for treatment. People often call it sleep dentistry, but this is not completely correct. While general anesthesia can be used, patients are usually awake. Dentists use different sedation levels, including:

• Minimal sedation, where the patient is awake but feels relaxed
• Moderate sedation, where the patient is conscious but may be sluggish and have no recollection of the procedure afterward
• Deep sedation, where the patient is hardly conscious but can be awakened if needed
• General anesthesia, where the patient is fully unconscious

Types of sedation options available

The following are the options available in sedation dentistry.

Inhaled minimal sedation

The dentist will administer nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas, together with oxygen via a nose mask attached firmly to the patient's nose. The gas keeps the patient relaxed. The dentist can manage the level of sedation, and the gas's effect often dissipates quickly. With this option, the patient may still be able to go home after dental treatment without assistance.

Oral sedation

The level of this sedation can range from mild to moderate, depending on the dosage administered. Patients will be given a pill for minimal sedation. The drug will be used about an hour before the treatment. It will cause drowsiness, but the person will remain awake. The dentist can induce moderate sedation by increasing the dose.

This is usually the most common method used in sedation dentistry. The drug may cause enough drowsiness that the patient actually falls asleep completely during treatment. However, they can be stirred out of sleep with a gentle shake.

IV moderate sedation

This dentist will induce relaxation by administering a sedative drug through the veins. The intravenous application causes the effects of the sedative to kick in almost immediately. It is possible to control the sedation level throughout the procedure.

Deep sedation and general anesthesia

Patients will take medications that will push them into a near-unconscious or fully unconscious state during the treatment. Patients who are given this option cannot be woken until the anesthesia drug wears off or is reversed. Patients will usually need to arrange transport home afterward because they may be unable to drive.

Final note

All the sedation dentistry options mentioned also include using a local anesthetic to numb the area where the dentist is working and relieve pain. If you are struggling with dental fears, the Los Gatos Smiles team is here to help you relax in the dentist's chair. Reach out to our Los Gatos office to learn more about our sedation options or to schedule a consultation.

Request an appointment here: https://dentistlosgatos.com or call Los Gatos Smiles at (408) 357-2222 for an appointment in our Los Gatos office.

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