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Sedation Dentistry – What Is It and Why You Should Choose It

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Has dental health improved since the 20h century?

Are you one of those people who would rather die of tooth pain than visit a dentist? Do you feel all sweaty and your world starts to spin when you think about lying on the dentist’s chair with your mouth wide open? If your answer is yes to both the questions, here’s good news: you are not alone. A majority of people feel anxious about a visit to the dentist because of the pain associated with various procedures. But things are changing now, and you do not have to faint every time your doctor switches on that traumatic grinding machine.

Sedation dentistry can alleviate your anxiety related to dental procedures and can help you get help with your dental problems. It consists of various sedations methods that are chosen based on the procedure that is needed and the kind of anxiety the patient is showcasing. Read on to understand sedation dentistry better and why you should go for it.

Who is Eligible for Sedation Dentistry?

  • Individuals with anxiety.
  • People who have a low tolerance of pain.
  • Patients who have the pharyngeal reflex.
  • Patients/kids with sensitive teeth.
  • People in need of major dental procedures.

Sedation Dentistry – More About It

Sedation Dentistry is also known as Sleep Dentistry. This procedure is used to sedate the patients to various degrees before performing a dental procedure on them. Dentists use general anesthesia under this process to relax the patients while they perform complicated and painful procedures. In some cases, local anesthesia is used to keep the patient relaxed and awake. The whole degree of sedation depends on how complicated the dental procedure is and how anxious the patient is.

Different Levels of Sedation Dentistry

  • Minimal Sedation
  • Moderate Sedation
  • Deep Sedation
  • General Anesthesia

The last one, General Anesthesia, is the maximum level of sedation, in which the patient is unconscious throughout the whole procedure. In the deep sedation level, a patient is unconscious but can be awakened if needed. The moderate sedation level ensures that the patient is awake but does not remember much about the procedure while in the minimal sedation level, the patient is awake and in a relaxed state of mind.

Sedation is done through various methods based on the level needed. Doctors generally use the IV method for moderate and deep sedation. General anesthesia is administered either through the IV or through inhalation. The IV method is faster and more effective than all the other methods but is used only when a deeper level of sedation or instant sedation is needed. Some doctors use oral sedation for simple methods. In this procedure, the pill prescribed by the doctor has to be taken an hour before the procedure. The minimalist inhalation method is well known and a very old one. In this method, the patient has to smell laughing gas, which mildly sedates the patient and preps them for minor procedures.

 Sedation Dentistry for Children

Kids often get terrified about dental procedures and refuse to co-operate. They can also panic and cause injury to themselves as well as others during the process. Sedation dentistry is an excellent method of treating children by keeping them relaxed while the doctor is working on their teeth. Children are sedated by administering nitrous oxide because their teeth issues are generally not serious. Some pediatric dentists are trained in administering oral sedation, which is also considered safe for children.

Is Sedation Dentistry a Safe Procedure?

Sedation dentistry is a safe procedure, but it has to be administered only by trained professionals just like in case of anesthesia. Every sedative has to be administered in a particular amount so as to be both effective and safe at the same time.

Individuals who suffer from sleep apnea or are obese should opt for sedation dentistry only after consultation with their general physician. This is because people who are overweight or have sleep apnea are prone to experience complications from anesthesia.

Like all medical procedures, there can be some unpredictable risks; therefore, you must research thoroughly and find an experienced doctor for yourself. This doctor has to be an excellent dentist while being trained at handling different methods of sedation. Here’s a checklist for you before you choose to go for sedation dentistry.

  • Start by checking the dentist’s track record with sedation dentistry. Ask how many procedures he has performed and if there were any complications ever.
  • Share all your medical records with your doctor, so he/she can evaluate you as a candidate for sedation dentistry. Also, remember to share the details of your current medications, if any.
  • Discuss the sedation procedure and try to understand which method will be the best option for you.

Sedation dentist is like a boon for those who need a dental procedure. Now, you can sleep through the process while your doctor pulls and scrapes at your precious whites. If you are a parent of an anxious child, you should always ask your dentist about sedation dentistry. In Atlanta, you can avail the benefits of this procedure at Drescher and Cohen.

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