Improving Your Dental Care

Each Type Of Sedation Dentistry Explained

Millions of Americans postpone going to the dentist because they have a fear of the dentist. They might be afraid that their visit is going to be painful or they might simply find the whole experience to be uncomfortable. Sedation dentistry is an option that a lot of patients turn to. However, there are several forms of sedation dentistry that you can choose from.

Mild Sedation

Mild sedation is meant to provide a patient with a feeling of relaxation. Oftentimes, you will be given nitrous oxide which is often referred to as laughing gas. The effects of the sedation go away quickly. The upside of mild sedation is that you will be able to continue normal activities shortly after undergoing sedation.

Moderate Sedation

A dentist places you under moderate sedation by having you take a pill before the procedure. This form of sedation is meant to make you feel very relaxed and some patients even report that they can easily fall asleep during the procedure. However, if the dentist needs to rouse you from this state, the dentist can easily do this. 

Deep Sedation

One of the problems with other forms of sedation is that they might not be suitable if your dental procedure will be very painful or unpleasant. Under these circumstances, you are best off undergoing deep sedation. With deep sedation, you will still remain conscious and will be able to communicate with the dentist. However, you will likely not remember the procedure or anything you spoke to your dentist about.

General Anesthesia

If your dentist decides that you should be unconscious for the dental procedure, he may place you under general anesthesia. This is often referred to as sleep dentistry because you might be literally asleep.

While being entirely unconscious for the procedure might sound tempting, it may not always be the best option because your dentist may need to communicate with you during the procedure. Also, the dentist will need to do more to monitor your vitals and make sure that the medications used to render you unconscious do not place your health in danger.

Your dentist will inform you of whether you will be able to drive home after the procedure or if you should bring someone else with you who can drive you home. You will be informed about what to expect and will have the final say in the procedure. However, in many cases, sedation dentistry is the best option. 


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