Conscious sedation dentistry comprises giving sedative drugs so that the person’s anxiety can be reduced during dental treatments. Patients either take the medicines intravenously (IV), orally, or through inhaling (nitrous oxide).
Sedation dentists usually recommend sedatives to people suffering from generalized anxiety, dental phobia, dental trauma, or fear of needles. Patients having anxiety at high levels might be sedated before getting the injection of anesthesia, especially if they are scared of needles.
Dental Phobia vs. Anxiety
Fear or anxiety of getting dental treatment isn’t common and only three-fourth of the population get the issue. About 10% of people experience dental anxiety.
Dentophobia is the fear of visiting a dentist. Sedation procedure is the best option for these kinds of people. People with minor anxieties and fears issues typically don’t need sedatives.
Types of sedatives used in Sedation Dentistry
A dentist like https://www.comfortfirstdentalsterling.com/ determines the best for each patient based upon the type of procedure, medical history, and what the patient prefers. The three major types of sedation include:
Oral Sedation
Patients consume this sedative before the invasive or surgical dental treatment. It needs fewer co-operations between a patient and dentist because maximum time’s patients sleep after getting the medication.
This medication helps the patients be less conscious and might be taken the night before the procedure, 1-2 hours before the process, or before administering a needle.
Laughing Gas
It comprises the nitrous oxide that patients get while inhaling. With the combination of laughing gas and local anesthesia, a patient will reduce pain, anxiety, and fear.
With this technique, a patient remains conscious and doesn’t sleep. Its effect is instant after the placement of the mask. Sedative wears off in no time after the patient breathes oxygen. Before removing the mask, patients having nitrous needs to breathe 100 percent oxygen for 5 minutes.
IV sedation
It is also known as deep sedation, which keeps the patient conscious. The drugs that the patient receives make them very sleepy and hardly know about the things happening in the surroundings.
This kind of sedation is used during the time of oral surgeries. Most of the people remain conscious but don’t remember anything about the process. A medication reacts quickly after taking it, and its effects can last for a few hours before the completion of the treatment.
Advantages of Sedation Dentistry
Those who are scared of dentists refrain from visiting a dentist. Neglecting a dentist leads to higher chances of getting cavities, gum diseases, and other oral issues. With this technique, patients can visit with less fear and anxiety. Complicated and long procedures usually incorporate sedatives, which might benefit people having:
- Extreme fear or anxiety of needles
- Dental phobia
- Sensitive reflexes
- Sensitivity in teeth
People are not born with this fear. Most of the issues are because of the bad dental experience or childhood trauma. Talk to your dentist and get away from the anxiety.