Sedation Dentistry: What You Need to Know

Are you considering a dental procedure soon and wondering how dentists reduce discomfort and tackle general dental anxiety during these procedures? Thanks to the advancement of science, sedation dentistry is the answer!

It has completely revolutionized the dental procedures and the field of dentistry, at large, in terms of safety, comfort and ease. No wonder, 12.4% of Canadians show absolute interest in sedation or general anesthesia when opting for routine dental procedures and 68.2% Canadians benefit from it when undergoing periodontal surgery.

Do you want to know all about it, from what does sedation feel like to what options do you have that can make your next dental procedure appointment a smooth, safe and pain free experience for you? Dr. Amir Guorgui, an expert dentist in sedation dentistry, has the answers for you. Read along to get the hang of sedation dentistry comprehensively!

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry refers to the branch of dentistry that leverages sedative techniques and medications carefully to gradually slow down the brain’s activity of patients undergoing dental procedures to reduce their pain and discomfort.

It uses different modes of sedation and sedatives for patients to bring about different levels of sedation like minimal, moderate or deep state of relaxation in them depending on their anxiety level, understanding and demand of the procedure. The effects can vary from patients feeling a bit drowsy to going into a restful sleep for a specific duration while their dental team takes care of their oral health

Types of Sedation Used in Dentistry

For unique needs of patients and different levels of sedation, there are different types of sedation used in dentistry which include the following. Let's explore these and understand what does sedation do:

Inhaled Sedation

This one involves patients inhaling laughing gas (nitrous oxide) through a mask placed over their nose under the guidance of a dentist for quick calming effects. It doesn't make them sleep, just more relaxed and calm. And if you are thinking how long does sedation last with this, the effects wear off quickly right after the patients stop inhaling it.

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation uses sedative drugs in forms of pills or syrups that patients take orally, typically an hour before the procedure. Some common ones dentists use include Triazolam, Halcion and Zaleplon. It depends on the dosage how sedated, minimal or moderate, the patient is, wherein they feel very relaxed yet conscious. This technique can make the patients groggy enough to fall asleep during the procedure but they can be awakened easily, too.

IV Sedation

Wondering how does iv sedation work? It involves a dentist anesthesiologist or nurse monitoring and administering a sedative drug intravenously in the patient’s bloodstream for a quick and controllable sedative effect.

It results in a deep state of relaxation in patients where they are barely bothered by the procedure. Mostly, dentists prefer it for longer procedures and patients with more sensitive gag reflex.

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia involves a complete state of sleep and deep unconsciousness so that the patient feels no pain or discomfort at all during extensive dental procedures. It involves using some inhaled gasses plus some sedative IV drugs by expert and anesthesia trained dentists.

This one is usually opted for more extensive and demanding procedures and surgeries so the patient can enjoy a restful sleep while the dentist works on the oral cavity. And once things are all set, they are brought back to consciousness easily.

Who is Sedation Dentistry For?

Sedation dentistry is not a one-size-fits-all kind of approach. It is more of a tailor made approach so when we think of who is an ideal candidate for sedation dentistry, the dentists usually check candidacy across certain parameters like age, health, underlying illnesses and needs of the patient and procedure.

Generally, ideal candidates for sedation dentistry are ones who have moderate to severe dental anxiety, low pain tolerance, special mental understanding or people who are undergoing extensive dental procedures. In contrast, situations where sedation dentistry is not a good fit is when patients have certain medical conditions like respiratory or cardiovascular issues or they are pregnant.

What are the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry has many benefits like:

• It can make dental procedures more comfortable as patients won't be feeling pain or discomfort.
• The calming effects resulting from sedatives helps reduce anxiety and fear in patients regarding dental visits.
• When patients are relaxed and comfortable during complex procedures because of sedation dentistry, it really brings down the time of the procedure, makes the overall process easy and effective for all parties involved and supports better results.

Risks and Considerations

Given that sedation dentistry requires expert analysis for checking candidacy of patients and specialized and trained dentists who can administer drugs, control dosage and monitor patients as they go into a state of relaxation and come out of it, the importance of choosing a qualified dentist for sedation can’t be underscored.

Qualified dentists will guide you through pretreatment considerations like factoring in your medical history, allergies, and unique needs and choosing the best options for dental sedation, all of which are paramount for successful procedures.

What to Expect During a Sedation Dentistry Appointment

Patients go through a structured process during their sedation dentistry appointment. Here’s what it can look like for you as a patient:

Pre Appointment Consultation

Initial consultation in which your dentist will carefully examine your medical history, understand your fear and anxiety to discuss and pick the best type of sedation for you. Then you’ll be given specific instructions, for example if you are going for IV sedation or general anesthesia, you would be asked to bring along someone to drive you back home.

During the Procedure

On the day of your appointment, your dental team will explain the whole process to you and then administer IV drugs and keep a tab on your vital signs.

After Procedure Care

After the procedure, your dental team will closely monitor you until the sedative effects wear off completely. Then you will be provided some care instructions and suggestions.

Cost of Sedation Dentistry

The cost of sedation dentistry varies patient to patient, depending on what kind of sedative technique patients opt for, the kind of drugs they get, plus the procedure that they're undergoing.

Typically, patients can discuss the entire cost and contributing factors in their pre-consultation appointment. Generally, mild sedation techniques are on the lower end of the price range, while complete sedation techniques are on the upper end.

Sedation Dentistry at Markham Smile Centre

If anxiety or fear or lack of information about sedation dentistry has kept you from maintaining your oral health, now that you know all about it, visiting Markham Smile Centre for your dental procedures can be your best bet. We have a compassionate and expert team with some members especially trained in sedation dentistry, which can help guide you through different sedation dentistry procedures available to keep your anxiety under control and ensure pain free experiences.

Moreover, the environment of the clinic and the way it is designed will make sure that you feel at home and at ease. So don't let fear hold you back any longer. Be in the care of good hands and experts when it comes to sedation dentistry.

Ring us today at Markham Smile Centre and take the first step towards a healthier smile for yourself!