Sedation

Most people require only dental procedures that are relatively minor, with no sedation necessary. But in some cases dental work is more extensive, calling for sedation, or the patient has circumstances that make it a good idea for a procedure. Not all dentists offer sedation, so it‚’s necessary to find one who does offer a different technique if this is something you think you‚’ll benefit from.


Do You Need Sedation?

When the dentist performs a procedure that requires a shot of anesthetic to numb the area, whether it‚’s a simple filling or oral surgery , some people wish for sedation. But not everyone really needs it. You‚’re a good candidate if:

  • You would avoid needed dental care because you‚’re afraid of needles or dentists
  • You have trouble with gagging and are unable to stop the gag reflex when hands or equipment are in your mouth
  • You have trouble becoming all the way numb before a procedure
  • If the procedure is going to take a long time, or you‚’re having a lot of work done at once like removing several teeth
  • If you‚’ve had a bad experience with a dentist causing you pain
  • If you‚’re uncomfortable or nervous enough to think some sort of sedative will help you
  • You would avoid needed dental care because you‚’re afraid of needles or dentists
  • You have trouble with gagging and are unable to stop the gag reflex when hands or equipment are in your mouth
  • You have trouble becoming all the way numb before a procedure
  • If the procedure is going to take a long time, or you‚’re having a lot of work done at once like removing several teeth
  • If you‚’ve had a bad experience with a dentist causing you pain
  • If you‚’re uncomfortable or nervous enough to think some sort of sedative will help you

If you‚’re uncomfortable or nervous enough to think some sort of sedative will help you

It‚’s ultimately up to you and a dentist to decide if sedation is right for you and your procedure. Common procedures where something more than anesthetic is used are things like wisdom tooth removal, the removal of many teeth at once for later or immediate dentures, and procedures that take a long time or are more invasive like removal of abscess or impacted teeth, as well as some cosmetic surgery involving the jawbone.

Types of Sedation

Dentists who offer sedation use 4 different types:

  • General anesthesia. This renders a patient completely unconscious, much like general anesthesia used before regular surgery. It also carries the same risks because the patient needs help to breathe and is unresponsive, and so it‚’s used less often than other forms and reserved for certain oral surgery procedures.
  • Deep sedation keeps the patient from becoming completely unconscious; minimizing the risks of general anesthesia, but the patient is almost completely ‚”out of it‚” and usually can‚’t respond with any coherency. They may also need help breathing.
  • Conscious sedation is a type of moderate sedation, and can be achieved with IV medications or the inhalation of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas . This leaves the patient very relaxed but able to respond to questions and commands.
  • Light sedation or anxiolysis can help a patient relax but remain in complete control. The most common substance used is nitrous oxide (laughing gas).
  • General anesthesia. This renders a patient completely unconscious, much like general anesthesia used before regular surgery. It also carries the same risks because the patient needs help to breathe and is unresponsive, and so it‚’s used less often than other forms and reserved for certain oral surgery procedures.
  • Deep sedation keeps the patient from becoming completely unconscious; minimizing the risks of general anesthesia, but the patient is almost completely ‚”out of it‚” and usually can‚’t respond with any coherency. They may also need help breathing.
  • Conscious sedation is a type of moderate sedation, and can be achieved with IV medications or the inhalation of nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas . This leaves the patient very relaxed but able to respond to questions and commands.
  • Light sedation or anxiolysis can help a patient relax but remain in complete control. The most common substance used is nitrous oxide (laughing gas).

Light sedation or anxiolysis can help a patient relax but remain in complete control. The most common substance used is nitrous oxide (laughing gas).

In addition to inhalation sedatives like nitrous oxide and IV medications, oral sedatives can be given that are to be taken a certain amount of time before the dental visit to relieve anxiety. Shots of anesthetic are administered to the local area to prevent pain in addition to the sedation (except general anesthesia), which is only designed to help the patient relax.