Sedation Dentistry

Dental anxiety is astonishingly common and leaves people quaking in their boots by the mere mention of a dentist or dental procedure. Majority of Americans have reported some level of dental anxiety and avoid dentists and dental treatments like plague.

Sedation dentistry uses a versatile range of techniques to relax patients during dental procedures. Sedatives ranging from laughing gas to general anesthesia are used to calm the central nervous system and reduce conscious awareness. It provides a relaxing and anxiety-free dental experience.

Sedation dentistry offers various degrees of sedation, ranging from minimal to deep sedation. The dentist will administer the right form of sedation, depending on the type of dental procedure being performed.

What are the benefits of sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry has many benefits. The most prominent ones are given below.

•  Dental procedures carried out under sedation dentistry are pain free and comfortable.
• Sedation dentistry not only benefits the patients but also dentists. It allows dentists to work effectively without worrying about the patient moving around. Hence, the quality of treatment improves.
• Sedation dentistry allows patients suffering from dental anxiety and fear to undergo dental procedures while experiencing great comfort and ease.
• People with sensitive teeth or gums, gag reflex can be easily treated with the help of sedation dentistry.
• Procedures, like smile makeovers and full mouth rehabilitations, require numerous visits to the dentist but with sedation dentistry, dentists cover more ground in a short span of time. Also, fast procedures mean spending less time and money.
• Patients with special needs, like sensory processing disorders and autism spectrum disorders, who find it difficult to receive treatment can get dental help with sedation dentistry.
• Pediatric sedation dentistry allows children to receive essential dental care with great ease and comfort. It also prevents children from developing dental anxiety.
• People, especially children, who are extremely restless and have trouble sitting through long dental procedures, can undergo the treatment smoothly with the help of sedation dentistry.

What are the types of sedation?

There are two kinds of sedation available under sedation dentistry. They are:

1. Conscious sedation

Conscious sedation lets patients maintain consciousness and they can respond to verbal and physical stimulations during the treatment. The different types of conscious sedation are:

• Oral sedation:Oral sedatives are generally present in the form of pills or tablets and are administered through an oral route. They are taken one hour before the treatment or the night before. It provides a mild-to-moderate level of sedation.
• Inhalation sedation: Inhalation sedation or nitrous oxide sedation is the most commonly used form of sedation. Laughing gas is administered via a nasal mask and takes effect immediately. It is a flexible method and allows the dentist to control the level of sedation completely during the procedure.
• IV sedation: IV sedation is administered through veins. Sedatives are directly injected into the bloodstream and take effect instantly and send the patient into a state of deep relaxation. It is the most powerful form of conscious sedation. The IV sedation also provides the dentist with the flexibility to control the level of sedation throughout the procedure.

2. Non-conscious sedation

Non-conscious sedation sends patients into a deep sleep and they become unresponsive to all kinds of stimuli. Under the effect of non-conscious sedation, patients need breathing assistance. It is administered for lengthy and invasive surgical dental procedures.

At Murray Dental Care of Cupertino, our entire team of dentists and hygienists is committed to providing supreme quality dental care to our patients and their families. If you are inclined towards taking the first steps to improve your dental health and hygiene, call us at (408) 253-5277 to book an appointment.