Sedation Dentistry: Calm Your Dental Anxiety In An Easy Way

Sedation Dentistry: Calm Your Dental Anxiety In An Easy Way

Do you have a phobia when it comes to visiting a dentist for a routine checkup? Or do you get anxious and uneasy as soon as you enter the dental clinic? Most people fear visiting their dentists and tend to avoid dental treatments because of their extreme discomforts. It can be due to their bad dental experience or because of the dental anxiety they have. To eliminate the fear of a dental appointment, many dentists use Sedation Dentistry to help relax a patient before or during the dental procedure.

Sedation Dentistry San Antonio - South Flores Dental

What does Sedation Dentistry Mean?

Sedation Dentistry is a medical technique used to treat patients with various sedatives to make them relax. In this method, the sedative targets the central nervous system, specifically areas associated with conscious awareness. It is sometimes called sleep dentistry. As some patients start to panic when visiting a dental clinic, dentists follow the Sedation Dentistry procedure to eliminate the dental anxiety.

What are the methods involved in Sedation Dentistry?

A dentist uses various sedation methods according to the level of discomfort you feel and the length of dental treatment you require. These are as follows:

Nitrous Oxide & Conscious Sedation:

Nitrous Oxide, also known as “laughing gas,” is a safe and effective conscious sedation technique for both adults and children to help patients feel relaxed, relieve dental anxiety, and help make certain dental procedures easy and stress-free for patients. Nitrous oxide may also be used in combinations with other sedative agents. Safety & Effectiveness of Nitrous Oxide. The American Dental Association and other dentistry journals have conducted research and studies, and have found Nitrous Oxide safe for use on both children and adults. Nitrous Oxide is administered in combination with Oxygen (02), via a small mask that fits over the nose. Nitrous oxide is perhaps the safest sedative in dentistry and is well tolerated by most patients. It has a rapid onset, is reversible, can be adjusted in various concentrations and is non-allergenic. The patient remains fully conscious and maintains all natural reflexes when breathing nitrous oxide/oxygen. The patient will be capable of responding to questions or requests during the procedure. Prior to administering Nitrous Oxide, the dentist will review information about this sedation option, and answer any questions you may have.

Oral sedative:

It is a kind of moderate sedation under which some prescribed pills are given to the patient before or during the treatment. The patient takes the pill according to the level of discomfort he is experiencing. The doctor monitors the patient and, the effects of oral sedatives can last between 30 to 60 minutes. You may feel drowsy or even sleep during your dental treatment depending upon the dose you take.

IV Sedation:

Intravenous or IV sedation is a type of sedative administered through the vein of your hand. Like the oral sedative, it can also make you fall asleep so you don’t have to experience anxiety or pain. The only difference between both terms is the route through which the sedative is entered inside the body. Before you take an IV Sedation, your dentist will suggest you not to consume alcohol or smoke. You must also bring someone with you who will drive you home as the sedation takes time to wear off.

Deep Sedation or General Anesthesia:

Another non-common method of Sedation Dentistry is General Anesthesia. This sedative is used when a patient has to undergo a complicated or lengthy dental treatment. The patient is unconscious and only comes back when the sedative completely wears off.

Is it safe to have a Sedation Dentistry Procedure?

Yes, absolutely. Sedation is the best possible solution when a person is anxious about visiting a dentist. Sometimes sedation is also offered to a child when he is terrified about his dental checkup. A Sedation Dentistry Procedure should be administered by a trained and qualified dentist only. Before you make up your mind about having a Sedation Dentistry, it is crucial to ask your dentist about the sedative he will use upon you.

At South Flores Dental, we ensure you do not experience any pain or discomfort during the dental procedure. Our mild sedatives can ease your anxiety during and after dental procedures.

Schedule an appointment with us today!