What Are Dental Sedation Treatment Options?
If you experience apprehension about visiting the dentist, you’re not alone. A Forbes Health survey showed that 38% of respondents don't go to the dentist due to fear. Others might postpone a visit because they fear how much dental work they need to do. No matter your reason, sedation dentistry can help! Explore common types of dental sedation below:
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is ideal for people who suffer from dental anxiety before and during dental treatment. You take it in pill or liquid form and ingest it at a set time before treatment begins. The drug makes patients feel calm so a visit to our office is not so stressful. Patients given a higher dosage may feel drowsy enough to fall asleep during treatment. Oral sedatives don't relieve pain, so we'll administer local anesthetic as well.
Oral sedation is simple, safe and has few side effects, but patients using it will need a ride to and from their appointments.
General Sedation
General sedation brings patients into a sleep-like state while remaining fully conscious. Under general sedation, you will still be able to be aware of your surroundings due to the combination of medicine used. Sedation and anesthesia are different levels in a spectrum of consciousness — with anesthesia, you will be totally unconscious and unaware during the procedure.
IV Sedation
For patients with severe anxiety or undergoing surgical procedures. Patients are conscious but will have zero memory of the treatment.
IV sedation is commonly called sleep dentistry because the patient will feel as if they fell asleep and won’t remember the procedure. For IV sedation to work, we administer a specific set of sedatives via IV for the duration of the procedure or procedures. The dentist or anesthesiologist will monitor the patient closely to ensure safety and adjust the level of sedation as needed.
IV sedation makes dentistry possible for patients who might otherwise avoid the dentist. Patients will feel fine after treatment with IV Sedation — however, we do not recommend driving and will require patients to have a ride home.
General Anesthesia
Under general anesthesia, patients are unconscious with no memory of the treatment, making this option ideal for patients with severe anxiety or undergoing complex surgical procedures.
Our dentists put the patient to sleep with an IV and kept them asleep with inhaled anesthesia — just like they do for surgical procedures at a hospital. Trained anesthesiologists attend to patients using state-of-the-art monitors that provide sensitive pulse, oxygen levels, and blood pressure readings — ensuring patients' safety during procedures and their fast recovery from the sedation.
Patients recovering from general anesthesia often feel fatigue or confusion at first. Full recovery typically takes 45 minutes to an hour, so patients will need a ride home.
Nitrous Oxide or “Laughing Gas”
Nitrous oxide is commonly known as “laughing gas” and is administered to patients through a mask or nosepiece. Patients will quickly experience a calming effect.
What Is the Best Method of Dental Sedation?
There is no “one size fits all” approach to dental sedation. If you are considering dental sedation, contact your dentist to discuss the options that would work best for your needs. Your dentist will make a recommendation based on your help history, level of dental anxiety, and the dental care you need.
Contact Smile Crafters Today for Sedation Dentistry in Gilbert, AZ
Our professional and friendly team is here to help you get the dental care that you need! Don’t let dental anxiety keep you from having the smile you’ve always dreamed of. Contact Smile Crafters today to discuss sedation dentistry services in Gilbert, AZ.