When you come in for your appointment, we will decide which level of dental sedation is best for you.
The reason that many people have a fear of the dentist is that they have had a procedure in the past that didn’t go so well and wasn’t very pleasant. If you are avoiding a dental exam or procedure due to fear or anxiety that it will be uncomfortable or painful, you need not. There are a number of safe sedation options available.
Understanding Sedation Dentistry
Although the term “sedation dentistry” sounds very complex, in most instances, it is totally noninvasive and poses very few risks, depending on the circumstances and what type of sedation is necessary. If you are having a minor procedure, then your best options are likely going to be nitrous oxide or oral sedation.
Nitrous oxide is an odorless gas that makes you feel tired enough to fall asleep and not be aware of the dental procedure while you are undergoing it. Sometimes called “laughing gas,” it is an excellent way to sedate the patient so that there is very little anxiety or fear while having any treatment. While it’s not great for everything that a patient might need to be done, it is an effective way to calm your nerves and allow you to be comfortable in the dentist’s chair.
Another sedation option that comes with very few, if any, side effects is oral sedation. Oral sedation requires you to take a sedative before you go to your appointment. It is enough medication to make you sleepy, and typically it allows you to sleep throughout longer procedures. Unlike laughing gas, the patient is usually asleep the entire time; this means they can experience a reduction in the trauma that can sometimes accompany extensive dental work.
Are they Enough for Your Dental Procedure?
The first and most basic line of defense for any dental procedure is either laughing gas or oral sedation. But if you have to have extensive or painful work done, like having a wisdom tooth removed, then they might not be enough to give you the pain coverage you need. If your procedure is complex, then your sedation dentist might want to consider other forms of dental sedation, like IV sedation. It will be a better method of pain management and anxiety reduction.
The right type of sedation is really dependent on what you have done, what you are comfortable with, and if you have any pre-existing conditions. For minor dental procedures nitrous oxide and oral sedation are generally enough to take the sting away, but if you are having extensive work done, then choosing more intense sedation might be the best choice.
When you come in for your appointment, Dr. Hoffmann, Dr.Thoms, or Dr. Behl will decide which level is best for you.