Sedation dentistry is a field of dentistry that allows you to undergo even the most complex and painful dental procedure without any experiencing any pain.
Dental phobia is one of the most common phobias with both children and adults being afraid of undergoing a dental procedure due to the pain involved.
This used to be a problem years ago, but now thanks to sedation dentistry, dentists can do their job more efficiently, and patients can feel relaxed while being treated.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry refers to a technique that is used to relax and calm a person undergoing any kind of dental procedure. This technique is suitable for individuals having dental anxiety issues.
When you look at it, sedation dentistry is for everyone who is afraid of pain or is anxious. It’s okay to sedate both adults and children.
Common Types of Sedation Dentistry
Oral sedation via pills is the most common type of sedation to be performed by dental specialists and is typically for those patients who do not like needles.
Normally, one pill is taken an hour before the dental treatment. During this type of sedation, the person is typically awake but doesn’t feel pain.
Nitrous oxide is a second option for sedation dentistry. In this type of sedation technique, the patient is made to breathe in nitrous oxide. The gas sedates the person, putting them into a state of mild sleep.
A final option is deep sedation and general anesthesia. This is used when a very painful procedure is to be performed, such as a root canal. Only some dentists are allowed to use this form of sedation, as it puts the person into deep sleep from which they must be woken at the end of the procedure.
Benefits of Dental Sedation
Dental sedation benefits both the dentist and the patient. On the one hand, it enables you to stay calm while on the other hand, the dentist is able to perform his or her job without the worry of a nervous or anxious patient.
Sedation dentistry not only take the pain away, but it also allows the dentist to be precise and complete the job in a quicker manner too.
How Long Do The Effects of Sedation Dentistry Last?
For the most part, a patient may remain somewhat drained and drowsy for the entire day after being sedated. However, this largely depends on the type of sedation used.
Nonetheless, most dentists will suggest that you have someone else drive you home after the treatment in case sedation was used.
Do All Dentists Use Sedation?
While sedation is a commonly used technique in dentistry, still not all dentists use it. It’s recommended that you speak to your dentist first before you undergo a procedure to learn about the types of sedation that are offered, if any.
It should also be noted that not all dental procedures require sedation, and it typically depends on each individual case. If you have anxiety about having a dental procedure done, speak to your dentist about sedation dentistry.
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If you are wondering when is the right time to floss, let me tell you, whenever you can find time to floss, make sure you do! Similar goes for brushing your teeth – if you can find the time to brush your teeth, make sure you do so. However, you should also pay attention to brushing technique, as aggressive brushing can also be damaging on your teeth and damage your teeth enamel.
For one reason or another, good oral hygiene habits aren’t quite as common place in the US as they probably should be – and certainly not as commonplace as they could be.