Sedation dentistry is an excellent way of helping patients with dental anxiety stay comfortable during appointments. Dental anxiety is a common condition that can affect anyone at any age. If left unchecked, it can make you neglect your oral health by missing your dental appointments. If you often have to deal with dental anxiety or phobia, you might need to consider a sedation dentistry Pearland procedure. It is important to note that sedation dentistry can also be used on patients with a major dental treatment, strong gag reflexes, and low pain tolerance. Here are five things you should know before considering sedation dentistry treatment.
- Dentistry Sedatives Are Different From Anesthetics
Dentistry sedatives and anesthetics are quite similar but very different drugs. Sedatives help you relax during a dental appointment. On the contrary, anesthetics numb your sensory organs to prevent you from feeling pain during certain major dental procedures such as tooth extractions, root canals, and cosmetic procedures.
If your dentist decides to sedate you during a dental procedure, you will typically be awake but more relaxed. However, you will be unconscious during the procedure if you are under an aesthetic.
- There Are Different Types of Sedation Available
There are three ways your dentist can sedate you during a dental procedure. They include nitrous oxide and oral and IV sedation. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is often mixed with oxygen before being administered as a sedative. This mixture causes a calming effect during your dental treatment.
Oral sedation involves injecting an anesthetic agent into your mouth or jawbone. You may feel drowsy but will not lose consciousness or experience any side effects. The most common oral agents used for this procedure include midazolam, propofol, and dexmedetomidine.
IV sedation does not make you lose consciousness but rather makes you unaware of what is happening during treatment. It can be administered through your vein and might cause temporary side effects of amnesia.
- Sedation Dentistry Is a Safe Procedure
Sedation dentistry does not cause any major health risks. The sedatives used during treatments have been around long enough, and various types of research prove their effectiveness and safety. The type of sedative your dentist might recommend primarily depends on how severe your dental phobia and anxiety might be.
- You Will Need Rest After Sedation Dentistry
After sedation dentistry, you will need ample rest and a ride back home. This step is crucial because you might not be able to operate any machinery due to the effects of the sedative in your system. However, the sedative often wears off within a few hours. It might take several days or weeks to feel relief from major dental procedures.
- Taking Medications Before Sedation Dentistry Can Reduce Its Effectiveness
Taking pain medications before dental work can make you unable to cooperate with your dentist. Pain medications, including over-the-counter drugs like ibuprofen or aspirin, can make you drowsy and affect your sedation dentistry treatment. These medications can interfere with your ability to fall asleep during surgery and cause an adverse reaction to anesthesia.
Sedation dentistry is a safe, effective way to reduce anxiety. While it is not the same as general anesthesia, sedative medications used in dental treatments can help you tolerate procedures that would otherwise be difficult or uncomfortable. If you are considering sedation, talk to your dentist about how they can help you get the most out of your visit.
