If you are like most people visiting a South Elgin dentist, then you are probably not looking forward to it. Many people have a hard time relaxing in the dentist’s chair.
Sedation may be the answer to your predicament if you do not like visiting the dentist’s office. Sedation dentistry will definitely take your fears away and will make you be completely still so that the dentist can do his best work.
Sedatives in dentistry are used for all types of procedures from the most invasive oral surgeries to a simple tooth cleaning. Dentists will typically vary their sedative use on patients based on the anxiety and fear they showcase when sitting on the dentist’s chair.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is dentistry that utilizes sedatives to help patients relax during dental procedures. You will often hear sedation dentistry is referred to as sleep dentistry but that is a very misleading term.
Other than patients who are injected with general anesthesia for long and delicate oral surgery, the rest of the patients are usually awake during their procedures.
There are different levels of sedation dentistry. Minimal sedation is the lowest level where sedation is used to leave you conscious but relaxed.
Moderate sedation is whereby you are slightly conscious. You may speak but your words will slur and your memory fades.
Deep sedation involves the use of sedatives to take the patient to the brink of consciousness. They may look unconscious but they can easily wake up.
The deepest level of sedation dentistry involves the use of general anesthesia where the patient is completely unconscious.
Types of Sedatives in Dentistry
Inhaled Sedation
Inhaled sedation involves the intake of nitrous oxide combined with oxygen via a mask placed over the nasal cavity. The dentist can regulate the gases to determine the amount of sedation to administer.
The gas helps you relax but it also wears off rapidly. It is the single form of sedation after which you can return to normal.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation can be mild to moderate depending on the sedative dose administered. Oral sedation is administered through a pill or tablet.
The dose is typically ingested about an hour prior to the procedure. It will make you drowsy but you will still be conscious. Some people, however, may fall asleep during the procedure if moderate oral sedation is done but they can be awakened by slightly shaking them.
Oral sedation is the most prevalent form of sedation in dentistry.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is administered by direct injection of the sedative into a vein. Since it is put directly into a blood vessel, it is very quickly absorbed into the bloodstream.
This form of sedation also affords the doctor the ability to adjust sedation.
Deep Sedation
Deep sedation is accomplished through the use of general anesthesia. It is meant to make you deeply unconscious during the procedure.
Patients in deep sedation cannot wake up until the sedative completely wears off. However, it can be reversed by medicine.
