Sedation

Sedation dentistry is the practice of using sedatives to help patients feel calm during their dental procedure. It can help patients relax during procedures like root canals and extractions. There are different types of sedation. We will help you decide which one is best for you.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

This form of dental care uses medications to help patients relax during dental procedures performed in the dental office. Depending on what the patient needs, the sedation dentist will prescribe either nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation. These sedatives can be used to calm anxious patients who fear going to the dentist.

Major Types of Sedation 

Oral Conscious Sedation involves the patient taking a pill about an hour prior to their procedure. The medication helps the patient feel drowsy and relaxed during their treatment. The patient will be able to respond to questions and generally follow commands but will not experience pain.

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is often used for shorter procedures because it only lasts a short amount of time before it wears off. You will inhale the gas through a mask placed over your nose that contains oxygen as well. The gas helps you to relax throughout the entire procedure and feel calm. You will feel aware of what is going on around you and can respond to instructions from the dentist. At the end of the treatment, the nitrous is turned off, and you breathe in oxygen to remove the medication from your body. You will be able to drive yourself home after this type of sedation.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Some patients can benefit from sedation during dental procedures. Here are some common benefits:

• It allows them to relax so they can receive treatment without experiencing any stress or anxiety.
• It helps them remain still during treatment, which improves their oral health and helps them avoid developing complications such as dry sockets.
• During the procedure, the patient remains awake but feels less pain. This makes it possible for the dentist to complete treatments that otherwise would not be possible due to a patient’s physical discomfort and pain.
• The patient is still able to breathe independently, which means that he or she has no risk of asphyxiation.
• Certain forms of sedation are safe to use in combination with local anesthesia, allowing the dentist to provide even more effective pain management for patients. For example, nitrous oxide can be combined with local anesthetics to reduce the pain associated with an injection.
• Sedation promotes faster healing after a dental procedure. That’s especially important for patients who need to undergo a complex treatment plan that involves several appointments. With sedation, they can undergo more of the procedures they need in a single visit without requiring additional appointments in the future.
• There is very little to no downtime after using sedation during a dental appointment. Patients can return to their normal activities immediately after the procedure is completed.
• Patients who have certain medical conditions require the use of sedation because the treatment is so invasive. They should not put off dental treatment because they fear they will not be able to cope with the pain or anxiety of the procedure.
• Sedation allows dentists to treat patients who are very young or very old. Children who haven’t visited a dentist before may be fearful and require the help of sedatives. Older adults may have difficulty staying still for long periods of time. Dentists may use sedation to help them perform necessary procedures without causing unnecessary pain and trauma to the patient.

To discover more about sedation, visit Smile Design Implant Centers at 748 South Meadows Parkway #A8, Reno, NV 89521, or call (775) 924-1871.