Some people dislike dental trips. Several factors, such as past unpleasant experiences, tooth sensitivity, and smell aversion, can make a person feel anxious about visiting the dentist. However, several solutions are offered by the dentist to make the patient feel comfortable during the dental procedure. That being said, there is no reason to avoid routine dental visits. Neglecting professional dental care and treatment can only lead to more serious oral health issues down the line.
Dental health professionals work hard to dispel anxiety to ensure that patients will 1quality dental care on time. Although regular brushing and flossing are parts of good oral hygiene, avoiding regular dental check-ups can put you at risk of tooth decay and gum disease. Sedation dentistry is one of the best ways to dispel anxiety and make patients feel calm and relaxed in the dental chair while getting the treatment they need.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Feeling restless or on-edge should not prevent you from getting dental treatment and preserving your long-term oral health. Dental sedation helps eliminate uneasiness, stress, and reflexes that trigger sudden movements that can interrupt the procedure.
A licensed Sarnia dentist will administer a drug that will make you feel relaxed or even ease you into a comfortable, deep sleep. It enables the dental professional to carry out the dental work smoothly and ensure the success of the procedure, especially challenging ones.
Combining the sedation drug with a local or general anesthetic numbs the surgical site and relaxes your facial muscles and jaw, allowing the dentist to carry out the procedure easily.
Who Can Have Dental Sedation?
Sedation dentistry benefits people who dislike going to the dentist. Here are several conditions that make dental sedation a good choice:
- Phobia related to dental treatments
- Sensitive oral nerves
- Patients with a small mouth that become sore during the procedure
- Resistance to local anesthetic
- Extremely sensitive teeth
- Uneasy on the dental chair
- Low pain threshold
- Bad gag reflex
- Major dental work
- General anxiety disorder
If some of these factors prevent you from getting dental care, consult a Sarnia dentist about sedation dentistry. If you need dental work, such as tooth extractions, root canals, or dental implantation, dental sedation can help you relax during the procedure.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
There are 3 dental sedation options. The dentist will consider your anxiety level and the nature of the procedure before recommending the type of dental sedation that is ideal for you.
The dentist will explain the steps and results of the sedation and will recommend nitrous oxide sedation, fast-acting oral sedation, or intravenous (IV) sedation.
- Nitrous Oxide
Also referred to as laughing gas, nitrous oxide sedation is usually administered to help patients get through fast, minimally invasive procedures.
This fast-acting sedative can calm patients almost in an instant. It can make them lose their anxiousness at the sight of needles and other dental instruments used during dental work. However, its effect can quickly wear off so you do not feel groggy or sleepy after the procedure, letting you resume your usual day-to-day routine.
- Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is another option to consider when the effects of nitrous oxide are not enough to last throughout the procedure. The dentist will recommend taking an oral sedative pill an hour before your appointment. Once the pill takes effect, it can make you feel sleepy and less anxious, allowing the dental health professional to perform the dental work smoothly and precisely.
Since oral sedative is a prescription drug, the dentist needs to determine the exact dosage to ensure the maximum efficacy of the drug and the comfort of the patient. Unlike nitrous oxide, the effects of the oral sedative pill take a while to wear off. That is why you need to have assistance getting home after the appointment.
- Intravenous (IV) Sedation (Moderate and Deep)
This type of dental sedation involves the use of general anesthesia, which causes you to fall into sleep and keep you completely still with your mouth open throughout the procedure. This makes the entire process safe and easy as it eliminates the risk of sudden movement that can result in injuries or errors.
There are 2 types of IV sedations—moderate which is administered through an injection and used for shorter treatments, and deep sedation which is administered through medication and is frequently utilized for longer dental works.
Keep in mind that there are certain preparations you need to do before the appointment, such as limiting your food and beverage intake and avoiding certain medications to prevent potential after-effects and reactions.
Is Dental Sedation Safe?
Sedation dentistry must be administered by a licensed dentist for it to be safe. However, it carries a small risk of complications and short-term risks, including:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Headache
- Bruising on the injection site
While the effects of oral sedatives are difficult to predict, it is rare that patients experience an allergic reaction. In case of side effects, you can easily purchase drugs that can counteract the issues.
Do not put off your regular dental visit just. Sleep dentistry is an excellent solution to ensure that patients get dental care and treatment. Ignoring dental problems, such as broken or loose teeth, dental caries, and gum disease can put your oral health at risk. Moreover, these problems can become more serious as time passes. Without receiving treatment, you will require more extensive and more costly dental work in the future.
If you have upcoming dental work, do not hesitate to consult your dentist about dental sedation. Call us at Lambton Family Dental today at (519) 344-5747 for more information. You can also submit our contact form and let us know how we can help you. One of our warm and friendly dental staff will respond to your concerns as soon as possible.
Let us help you feel better about getting into the dental chair and make sure that you will never worry about persistent dental problems.