A Complete Guide to Sedation Dentistry

There are different reasons why people fear going to the dentist. For some, they had an unpleasant experience that made them fear dentists. For others, they are afraid of the pain. This is something that is common among children and adults. This is also the reason why modern dentistry has already evolved and has become almost painless. This is the major characteristic of sedation dentistry.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

The main focus of sedation dentistry is to help patients overcome their fear of dental procedures. The level of anxiety of the patient is going to be considered when choosing the level of sedation needed for the whole procedure. Its main goal is to provide a pain-free dental procedure. Sedation dentistry can be considered as an option for both simple and advanced dental treatments.

Different Types of Sedation:

Here are the different types of sedation dentists choose from as needed in a treatment:

• Oral Sedation

This is an option where a pill is given to the patient. It can either be swallowed or it can also be placed under the tongue. The result is a deep level of sedation where the patient will feel a little sleepy and for others, they would feel like they were able to sleep for the whole procedure. It would take 30-45 minutes for the medication to be absorbed by the body through the bloodstream.

• IV Sedation

This is the type of sedation given to severely anxious patients. It is real-time and it can provide a higher level of sedation. It can help in relieving anxiety and the pain of the procedure. You will be put to sleep and you will feel deeply relaxed as you go on with the treatment. With IV sedation, the doctor continuously monitors the level of sedation and the vital signs of the patient.

• General Anesthesia

This is the type of sedation with the highest and deepest level. It is something that is performed only by practitioners who are highly qualified. This is reserved for patients who have complex medical histories and those with special needs.

• Nitrous Oxide

For this type of sedation, the patient will be able to reduce the feeling of anxiety and discomfort. It is something that is used for invasive dental procedures. This is also commonly used as the laughing gas. It is combined with oxygen and it is ingested by the patient.

Levels of Dental Sedation

To further inform you about this field in dentistry, here are the different levels of dental sedation:

• Anxiolysis

This is also called light sedation. This is for someone who is suffering from mild anxiety towards dental treatments. This is the level that usually requires nitrous oxide.

• Conscious Sedation

This is the level of sedation resulting from nitrous oxide or IV sedation. At this level, the patient is conscious and he or she can follow instructions or answer questions. Extreme relaxation and calmness are guaranteed. It is perfect for people who have a mild phobia or extreme dental anxiety.

• Deep Sedation

This is the level of sedation where the patient is in between conscious and unconscious. This is for those who have dental phobia. The patient is expected not to respond to instructions or questions. A nasal tube is needed for oxygen delivery.

• Unconscious

This is a result of general anesthesia where the patient is completely unconscious. This is an option for those patients who need to undergo oral surgery. Just like what has been stated about general anesthesia, there is a need to regularly check the vital signs of the patient. There is also a need to monitor the level of sedation. This is something that can only be done by an expert on this type of sedation.

Bottom line

The level of sedation needed by the patient is something that the dentist at Skymark Smile Centre will decide upon. This is why there is a need for a consultation if you think you will have to go through a dental treatment. The level of pain is also one of the considerations in choosing the type of dental sedation to be given. Most patients who are experiencing anxiety would feel a bit hesitant in visiting their dentist. However, this is something that should be done for the proper diagnosis of the condition.

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