General & Family Dentistry
Sedation Dentistry
Visiting the dentist can be scary. In fact, according to a 2015 study, a whopping 80% of Americans experience some level of anxiety about visiting the dentist! If you or your kids find yourselves avoiding the dentist due to nerves, sedation dentistry can be a great option.
What types of sedation are used at each level?
Different dentists may use varying medications, but these are a few common sedation methods:
- Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a form of minimal sedation that the patient breathes in. The gas helps them to relax, and its effects wear off quickly.
- Oral sedation is usually achieved by having a patient take a pill before their procedure. Its effects range from minimal to moderate based on dosage. Oral sedation makes the patient groggy and sometimes causes them to fall lightly asleep.
- IV sedation administers medication through your veins, which makes it work much faster. IV sedation is typically moderate to deep, depending on the dosage.
Anesthesia can be administered in several ways, but it will cause the patient to fall deeply asleep during the procedure.
Patients should be aware of which medications are used in the type of sedation they select. If you have questions or concerns, we are happy to discuss your options with you in more detail. We want you to have the best experience possible at Oak Mountain Dental. If you experience dental anxiety, consider sedation to make your procedure smooth and worry-free!
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Will I Be Awake Or Asleep During The Procedure?
Your degree of consciousness depends on the level of sedation choose. There are four main levels:
- Minimal sedation – the patient is awake but relaxed
- Moderate sedation – the patient is awake but may not remember the procedure
- Deep sedation – the patient is nearly unconscious but can be awakened
- Anesthesia – the patient is completely unconscious
Would I benefit from Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation is a safe option for any patient, but it can be especially useful for those who experience:
- Sensitive teeth
- Low pain threshold
- Extreme dental anxiety
- Sensitive gag reflex
- Extensive dental work to be done
