Sedation Dentistry: What To Expect in The Dentist’s Chair

Everyone is at least a little bit frightened of the dentist. It’s not just the pain but the sheer discomfort of being in that chair with someone grinding on your teeth with scary-looking tools. You can see a study on dentist fear here. Some people are so scared that they never go to the dentist. However, this can be dangerous for your teeth health and your overall health as well.

But, there is such a thing as sedation dentistry which makes it much easier on you to sit in that chair and relax. This is used for anything from a simple cleaning to more serious procedures. It just depends on your level of fear.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

In simple words, it’s a form of dentistry that helps the patient relax and helps the doctor do their job much easier. You will be awake, but sedated.

With minimal sedation, you would be awake, but more relaxed. With a moderate type  you’d be sedated so that you don’t remember the procedure and it would be hard for you to speak. Deep sedation is where you are almost asleep and then the general anesthesia is when you’re completely asleep. You can read more on that here: http://www.ada.org/~/media/ADA/Education%20and%20Careers/Files/anesthesia_use_guidelines.pdf

There are different types of receiving it.

For instance, you can get an inhaled sedation which is usually minimal. You take in the laughing gas with oxygen and this helps you relax a bit. The gas wears off quickly and the dentist can control how much of it you can take. You will be completely normal after this, so much so that you will be able to drive.

You can also get oral one in different dosages. You’d take a pill (a sedative) an hour before your procedure and it will make you a bit sleepy, but still awake. If you take a bit more of it, you’ll experience a more severe sedation. In fact, you might be so groggy during the procedure that you can actually fall asleep.

With an IV, you will get a sedative straight to your veins and it will act very quickly. Your dentist can control your level of sedation.

Finally, you can also get a general anesthesia or deep sedation which would render you unconscious  during your procedure.

You’ll also need a local anesthetic, no matter which procedure you get. The dentist numbs the area he is fixing this way and it will relieve any pain you might get from the procedure. If you want to know what kind of sedation will be done on you, you can get more info on sedation dentistry from your own dentist and depending on your own case.

Even though you might want a one, this is best for people who have a strong fear of dentists that makes them unable to actually go to the dentist’s.

It also works if you:

• Can’t sit still, so you are bothering the dentist while they work
• Really can’t take any sort of pain
• Are very sensitive in the mouth area, especially your teeth
• You might gag due to a sensitive gag reflex
• Need a lot of work done in your mouth

Dentists will also give it to children because they are often very scared and they might scream and cry or not even let the dentist work. Usually, they will get the “laughing gas” since it’s usually enough to calm them down and any dentist can perform it. However, they have to know your child’s age and weight.

Can Any Dentist Do It?

If you are wondering if your dentist can perform it, it’s best to ask them specifically, but the truth is that most dentists can give you minimal levels of it like nitrous oxide and some light pills. However, not every dentist can give you moderate or severe sedation.

More and more dentists are going into training to get their certificate from the CODA program related to sedation and anesthesia. Dentists who have this can perform more complex anesthesia techniques.

At the same time, these dentists are often the ones that work as oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Dentists can also have an anesthesiologist working in their office.

How Safe is It?

While anesthesia always comes with a risk, sedation dentistry is usually safe. Make sure to let your doctor know if you have any conditions like sleep apnea. If you do, then you could have some complications from anesthesia. You could have complications if you are obese as well.

But, in essence, sedation dentistry is a generally safe process and even children can do it if necessary. It will help you feel calm, reduce your pain and make it more appealing to go to the dentist.