Sedation Dentistry: Types and Procedure

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry involves the use of medication to help you relax and reduce nervousness during a dental procedure.

Sedation or sleep dentistry is used for invasive dental treatments such as root canal, dental implant surgery, and surgical orthodontics.

Are You a Candidate?

Dental sedation is ideally used for people with anxiety, low pain tolerance, sensitive teeth or have a gag reflex.

However, people with health conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, respiratory and cardiac diseases need clearance from a physician before dental sedation is performed.

The dentist must do a comprehensive medical history before proceeding with the treatment.

Types of Sedation Dentistry

Dental sedation can either be mild, moderate, deep or general depending on the type of procedure to be done and your level of fear. The different versions of sedation include;

• Oral sedation

This can range from mild to moderate. The mild dose involves taking a pill such as Halcion an hour before the procedure. This pill makes you drowsy, but you will be awake during the procedure.

Moderate sedation is a larger dose that can make you groggy and sleepy.

• Laughing gas

Nitric oxide is common sedation used in most dental clinics. The gas does not put you to sleep but will reduce anxiety. It is safe and at times can be used on restless children.

Nitric oxide wears off quickly and you will able to regain normal functions relatively fast.

• IV sedation

IV anesthesia is used for moderate to severe dental procedures such as wisdom tooth extraction.

The anesthesia is injected through the veins, and it doesn’t cause you to sleep, but you will be less aware of what’s going on.

Before getting the IV sedation, you will have to make some habit adjustments such as not eating or drinking at least eight hours before you come for the appointment.

Don’t worry, our dentist will give you all the instructions in advance.

• General anesthesia

The dentist will give you medication that will either make you unconscious, meaning you will be deep asleep with no recollection of the procedure.

When you are under general anesthesia, you cannot be easily awakened until the drug wears off. Sometimes the dentist may give you medication to reduce the effects of the anesthesia.

Keep in mind though, regardless of the type of dental sedation used, the dentist will still numb the area they are working on with local anesthesia.

Who Can Perform Dental Sedation?

Most dentists can administer minimal to moderate sedation such as pills and nitric oxide. However, only certified oral or maxillofacial surgeons can perform the deep and general anesthesia. Dental anesthesiologists are trained to administer all forms of sedation dentistry.

Most states in America require dentists to have a sedation license. The problem is some dental clinics don’t have the permit and thus they hire other professionals to perform sedation for them.

At Lincoln Dental Associates, we are licensed to administer all the different types of sedation from nitric oxide to IV sedation.

Is It Safe?

Although dental sedation is safe, certain people may experience side effects. People with Obstructive Sleep Apnea or obesity are likely to develop complications and should inform and discuss with the dentist before the procedure.

How to Have a Successful Dental Procedure

Sedation dentistry should be done by a trained and qualified dentist. So, ensure you confirm the dentist’s qualifications first. Additionally, you can;

• Make sure the dentist has done a comprehensive medical and drug history assessment
• Ask about the sedation dose and if it is appropriate for your age and health
• Ensure you have received a detailed form of the potential dental sedation risks
• Check if the dentist has an oxygen tank, artificial ventilation, and required drugs for reversing general anesthesia.

Schedule an Appointment

Don’t be afraid of dental sedation, at Lincoln Dental Associates we are trained to provide all forms of sedation.

So, if you have any questions and doubts about sedation dentistry, call our doctor in Lincoln, NE and they will provide you with all the information.