Routine dental appointments are essential to good oral health, but many people forgo their biannual checkups and cleanings out of fear or anxiety. Many Americans have dental phobias that can make it hard to sit comfortably through a dental appointment, but neglecting them can lead to severe oral health issues that are incredibly painful and expensive to treat. Here’s a brief guide to how sedation dentistry works and how you can tell if you might be a good candidate for it.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sometimes, a patient needs a little help with staying calm and comfortable during their dentist’s appointment. Luckily, a qualified dentist can administer certain drugs at safe dosages to reduce a patient’s anxiety and sense of pain. Sedation dentistry comes in several forms, including:
Nitrous Oxide
Also known as laughing gas, this slightly sweet gas is administered through a mask fitted over the nose and produces results within a minute or two. The patient will feel lightheaded and calm, and their pain threshold will be raised so they do not experience discomfort. These effects fade completely within minutes of the mask being removed, and the patient will be safe to drive home afterward.
Oral Sedation
Some patients receive a prescription pill to be taken before their dental visit. After this pill is ingested, the patient will feel calm and relaxed, making it much easier for them to sit through their appointment. While you’ll probably feel drowsy, you will still be able to communicate with your dentist. The effects of these treatments last for anywhere from two to six hours, so you’ll need someone to drive you home afterward.
IV Sedation
IV sedation treatments produce immediate effects by administering a sedative directly into the patient’s bloodstream. The sedative levels can be adjusted to fit your needs during the procedure. This treatment can leave you feeling groggy afterward, and you may not remember much about the treatment. After IV sedation, you will need someone to drive you home from the office.
Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
You may be a great candidate for dental sedation if you meet some of the following criteria:
- You are anxious, nervous, or fearful of sitting through a dentist’s appointment.
- You have a powerful gag reflex that can make it hard to sit comfortably during your appointment.
- You feel embarrassed about the state of your oral health.
- You want to receive a lot of dental work in a shorter amount of time, as sedation dentistry can make it easier to sit still longer.
Sedation dentistry has been used and refined over several centuries to develop the safe and effective treatments we know today. Consulting with your dentist can determine if sedation dentistry can be a great fit for you.
About the Author
Dr. Gabrielle C. Dizon earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery from Baylor College of Dentistry, and she regularly completes continuing education courses to stay up-to-date within her field. She is proud to be a Fellow of the American College of Dentists and the Pierre Fauchard Academy. Her office in Dallas, TX offers general, restorative, cosmetic, and emergency dentistry as well as sedation dentistry treatments. To learn more about sedation dentistry, contact her office online or dial (214) 646-6202.