The thought of going to see a dentist for some individuals is terrifying. In reality, most people usually postpone their bookings or end up not going due to the rise in anxiety and fear. Now, deciding not to go to the dentist is not a good idea since the longer you stay away, the more your tooth problem will escalate and become worse. The good news is a solution exists for individuals who dread sitting in the dentist’s chair. Dental sedation is the next best solution and there are many different types of sedation dentistry available in the market. Selecting the right one for you will depend on how anxious you become to a greater extent.
Sedation Level
Dentists utilize many ways to practice sedation dentistry, each method can deliver a varying degree of sedation. These levels grades are split into moderate, mild, or minimal and deep sedation with a separate category for basic anesthesia.
Mild Sedation
In minimal or mild sedation, you’re awake fully but relaxed at the same time, so you’re able to respond to queries or instructions normally. However, even though it has minimal impact, you will find that your judgment may be slightly impaired when the medication is still active in your body. Mild sedation is usually used to lessen dental fear and anxiety.
Moderate Sedation
When your system is under moderate sedation, you’re less alert, but still awake. You will probably feel dazed as you will be in a dreamlike condition, it’s even possible for you to fall asleep during the operation. Falling asleep under the influence of moderate sedation has to do with a feeling of relaxation rather than the effect of the medication causing sleep. But whether you fall asleep or not, you’ll still be able to comprehend and answer questions and follow instructions from your doctor.
Deep Sedation
With deep sedation, deep sleep is created. Here you travel towards the edge of unconsciousness and consciousness. Many trials may be taken to get you to wake up again, but your doctor can wake you up during the surgery if needed.
General Anesthesia
This type of sedation therapy is the most common, most people are aware of this type of sedation. Procedurally, it’s able to plunge you into a deep unconscious sleep that you won’t be able to wake up from until the medication fades out. It’s often used to treat patients who have intense dental work and those who have serious dental anxiety.
Sedation Types
CONSCIOUS SEDATION
Conscious sedation allows a patient to be completely aware of what’s happening throughout a dental operation, yet remain at ease and very relaxed. This sedation type helps people who are afraid of dental procedures and also those who won’t be able to sit through an operation that will take many hours to complete.
People who decide to take this type of sedation will need to organize transport to take them home once the operation is complete. If for example, they decide to consume the sedation orally before their appointment, someone will need to drive them to the dentist’s office too.
This type of sedation method is administered in the following ways:
- Inhaling a gas
- Intravenously
- Injection
- Orally
NITROUS OXIDE
Also known as “laughing gas,” this is a fantastic remedy for people who have mild anxiety when they visit a dentist. When the nitrous oxide is mixed with oxygen and the patient inhales it via a mask, nitrous oxide can make the patient more happy and relaxed compared to his/her normal state. Compared to other forms of sedation, nitrous oxide has very mild effects and fades off really fast. Patients who use nitrous oxide should be sober enough to drive themselves back home after the consultation.
IV SEDATION
For those who have extreme anxiety and fear about their dentist visit IV sedation comes highly recommended. In addition, it’s used for all patients undergoing oral surgery and for those who take complex and very long operations.
To administer this sedation type, a licensed anesthesiologist is required. But the good part is, the patient will be able to drive him or herself to the booking because the sedation is received at the dental clinic but driving themselves back will not be possible.
That said, your visit to the dentist doesn’t need to be a scary experience, there are now many dental sedation methodologies at your disposal, even the most frightened will feel much better and relaxed throughout a dental procedure.