Sedation dentistry involves the administration of a sedative before or during your dental procedure. Depending on the type of sedation that your dentist chooses, you may be partially awake and relaxed as you undergo the procedure or you may be unconscious.
Your dentist may choose to administer one of the following types of sedatives:
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a sedative that can help to mitigate mild anxiety. It keeps the patient relaxed but awake. It also wears off quickly, which means that you may be able to drive yourself home after the procedure. Nitrous oxide may also be suitable for children since they often have high levels of dental anxiety. Your dentist will administer nitrous oxide in the form of a gas.
Oral
An oral sedative can put a patient into a highly relaxed state without rendering them unconscious. Usually, patients are given oral sedatives about an hour before the procedure. Oral sedation may be the best option if you have a fear of needles.
Intravenous
This method involves injecting the medication. A needle can transfer the sedative into your bloodstream faster than any other avenue can, which is why intravenous sedation is also the fastest acting. Intravenous sedation is best if you want to be sedated to a greater degree.
Who should use sedation dentistry?
Several factors might make sedation dentistry the ideal choice for certain patients. Patients with any of the following conditions should consider sedation dentistry:
- Anxiety or phobia relating to dental procedures.
- Sensitive teeth
- Resistance to local anesthetics
- General anxiety
- A Need for intensive dental work
- Low pain threshold
The type of sedation dentistry that your dentist will choose depends on what issue is affecting you. Here at Westmoreland Dental Group, we typically use oral sedation dentistry. Once patients meet a certain health criteria, they are given oral tablets that create extreme sleepiness and amnesia. Dr. Westmoreland is trained in Advanced Cardiac Life Support and the medicines he utilizes are very safe.
If you find yourself postponing necessary dental work because you fear the pain, sedation dentistry might be for you. Contact us at Westmoreland Dental Group.