Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It's sometimes referred to as "sleep dentistry," although that's not entirely accurate. Patients are usually awake with the exception of those who are under general anesthesia. There are different type of anesthetics such as "laughing" gas, oral sedation, and local anesthesia.
"Laughing" Gas: It is often used for patients who are mildly or moderately anxious or nervous. It eases their fears so that they can relax, which helps them receive treatment in a comfortable and safe manner. "Laughing" Gas is delivered through a small mask over the nose. You will be asked to breathe through the nose and not through the mouth. As the gas begins to work, you usually will become less agitated and nervous. The effects are mild. It is safe and quickly eliminated from the body. You remain awake and can continue to interact with the dentist. When the gas is turned off, the effects wear off very quickly. The dentist will give you oxygen for a few minutes after treatment, which helps to flush the body of any remaining gas.
Oral sedation: Patients who are more anxious may need a stronger medicine than nitrous oxide will receive some form of oral sedation. When choosing a form of sedation, the dentist will consider your overall health and medical history. Oral sedation could be taken as soon as you arrive at the appointment, as the medicine usually takes up to 20 minutes to work. Oral sedation doesn't put you to sleep, but it helps you stay calm and relaxed. You would also be able to respond to simple commands. Minor side effects such as nausea or vomiting can occur with some medicines. Before your visit the staff will provide you with instructions that could include whether you should eat or drink before the procedure and what to watch for afterwards. You will need to stay for a short period of time after the dental treatment has been completed for observation purposes.
Local anesthesia: Sometimes the dentist might need to numb a part of your mouth. The dentist will inject medicine into your gum or inner cheek. This medicine is called local anesthesia. Lidocaine is the most common local anesthetic dentists’ use. If you need local anesthesia in order to have your dental treatment done, the dentist will dry part of your mouth with air or cotton. The dentist then swabs the area with a gel to numb the skin. Then, the dentist will slowly inject the local anesthetic. Most people don't feel the needle. Instead, the sting they feel is caused by the anesthetic moving into the tissue. An injection of local anesthesia can last up to several hours. After you leave the dentist's office, you may find it difficult to speak clearly or eat. The sensation lasts a few hours with virtually no side effects.
If you are anxious about visiting a dentist, call us and we can make your anxiety disappear.