Types of Sedation Used in Dentistry
- By Mary Marks
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- 27 May, 2022
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Although some people may already know what sedation dentistry is, they may not know how many forms it has. Some may already know about the use of nitrous oxide, more commonly known as laughing gas. This form of sedation is the one that has the fewest risks associated with it. That’s because the gas wears off very quickly after the patient has stopped inhaling it. This is why it is very safe to use both for adults and children. Checking with a sedation dentistry office such as Clarkson Dental in Denveris the best way to know what type of sedation is used.
Another form of sedation dentistry is the one that uses pills or syrups to numb the patient. This is called oral sedation and it takes a bit longer to work. That’s why the pills or syrup may be administered even a couple of hours before the intervention, so that it can take effect. Unlike the laughing gas, this will take a bit longer to wear off, but the patient is conscious all throughout the intervention. That’s because the dentist may need to communicate with the patient during the procedure.
The third form of sedation dentistry is the one that uses IV sedation for the patient. This is the one that is usually used for those who have severe dental anxiety and can’t tolerate pain. This way they are injected with a sedative and they simply fall asleep, leaving the doctor free to do his work. The best part about this form of sedation is that the patient wakes up without having any memories of the procedure or even without having experienced any pain.
Although oral sedation dentistry Highlands Ranch is one of the optionsavailable for managing anxiety and discomfort during oral surgery, you certainly do not need to use it all the time. As a matter of fact, the exact type of sedation or anesthesia that you receive during oral procedures may depend on various factors, such as the complexity of the procedure, your medical problems, as well as your doctor’s preferences.
There can be several different levels of sedation that can be used in oral surgery. Local anesthesia is one of them. This involves injecting anesthetic medication into the specific area where the surgery will take place. It numbs the area and is often used for less invasive procedures.
Oral sedation involves taking medication in the form of a pill to induce a state of relaxation and drowsiness. The patient is still conscious, but he/she may not be fully aware of the procedure. At any rate, sedation helps him/her get rid of anxiety.
In the case of intravenous sedation, medication is administered through a vein, which induces a deeper state of sedation than oral sedation. Patients may still be conscious, but they are less aware of their surroundings and may not remember the procedure.
