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Sedation Dentistry

Sedation Dentistry

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

With sedation, the dentist administers a drug before or during the dental procedure. Only one type of sedation, general anesthesia, renders patients completely unconscious. The other forms help the patient relax without knocking them out completely.

Common Cases When You Need Sedation Dentistry

Patients usually opt for sedation dentistry for a number of reasons. Here are some examples of them.

Anxiety Related to Dental Procedures

A lot of people have dental anxiety, and in some cases, it prevents them from visiting the dentist at all. Whether it stems from a previous bad experience at the dentist, a sensitive gag reflex or simply discomfort at having dental staff in such close proximity to them, sedation dentistry can help quell anxiety so people get the treatment they need.

Pain Management

Pain is a concern for most people who visit the dentist — especially if they are having a major dental procedure such as a dental crown, root canal, tooth extraction or dental implant placement. Sedation dentistry can help ensure that pain is minimized during the procedure so that patients can remain comfortable.

Multiple or Extensive Dental Procedures

Sometimes, people have extensive dental damage, and they might need lengthy treatment to make the needed repairs. Most patients would not be able to bear the pain and discomfort that often comes from continuous treatment for an hour or longer. It can also be exhausting to sit in the dentist chair for prolonged treatment. Sedation dentistry can keep patients calm and comfortable during long procedures. This also provides reassurance to the dentist, allowing him or her to focus on the procedure knowing that the patient is comfortable. It also means that several treatments can be combined into just one visit to the dentist.

Sedation Methods for Your Dental Treatment

There are several sedation methods used by dentists. Some of them include the following.

Oral sedation

If you opt for an oral sedative, you will get a prescription to take about an hour or so before your dental appointment. The medication is designed to help you relax so you feel less anxious about your procedure.  With this method, you will remain fully awake. You should avoid operating a motor vehicle after oral sedation dentistry. So, you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment.

IV Sedation

IV sedation is sedation that is administered intravenously. This type of sedation dentistry can put you into varying states of consciousness. Some IV drugs will put you into a state referred to as “twilight sleep” which means you are sleepy but still aware of your surroundings. However, you might not remember much of the procedure afterward. Stronger IV drugs — known as general anesthesia — can put you into a deeper sleep until its effects wear off. After IV sedation, you will need someone to drive you home, and you may feel groggy for the rest of the day.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is a gas that is breathed in through a mask similar to an oxygen mask. The gas hits your system almost immediately so you can relax during your procedure. It wears off quickly with it’s effects wearing off soon after you remove the mask. So, you might be able to drive yourself home and return to your normal routine after your procedure.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Phobia of the dentist is a common fear for many. It frequently leads people to put off routine dental treatment which often leads to the need for treating more serious problems. With sedation dentistry, patients can have effective dental treatment with minimal pain or discomfort. Even the most anxious patients can benefit from sedation dentistry to minimize their fear of the dentist.

Anxiety Relief

Sedation dentistry removes a big reason people avoid going to the dentist: anxiety. There are different levels of anxiety with some patients feeling a bit nervous about undergoing even routine procedures. Other patients have full-blown fear that their dentist visit will be excruciatingly painful or that something will go horribly wrong. Any level of dental anxiety can keep people from getting the treatment they need. With sedation dentistry, patients can rest assured they will be comfortable during their procedure.

Pain Relief

Many dental procedures are simply not comfortable, and some can be downright painful. Depending on whether you are having a tooth filled or a root canal, there is a level of sedation dentistry that can make the procedure virtually pain-free. With oral sedation dentistry or IV sedation dentistry, you probably won’t even remember much of the procedure which is appealing to many patients.

The Dentist Can Work More Quickly

Dentists have undergone many of the procedures they perform themselves, and they understand how it feels. They want you to be comfortable, and if they are concerned about whether you are feeling pain, this can slow down their work. When you are sedated, they won’t have to worry about how you are reacting to the procedure, so they can work more quickly. The quicker your dentist works, the quicker you are on your way and on the road to recovery.

What to Expect From Sedation Dentistry

What you can expect from sedation dentistry will depend on the type of sedation used. If you have a local anesthetic — which causes numbness to a localized area — you can expect that to wear off within a few hours of the procedure. You will be fully alert during your procedure. Your dentist will likely apply a bit of numbing gel to the area before inserting the needle.

Nitrous oxide is a fast-acting gas that you will breathe in through a mask over your mouth and nose. Its effects are almost instant, and you will feel relaxed immediately. Often called “laughing gas,” you might feel a bit giddy, but you will be alert and able to answer questions and so on during your treatment. You will feel very relaxed during treatment. You may be able to drive home and return to your normal day after treatment because its effects leave your system quickly after the mask is removed,

Oral sedation dentistry will relax you before and during the procedure, and you might feel a bit groggy for a few hours after the procedure. You may not remember much about what happened while you were undergoing treatment, although you will be awake. You should have someone drive you to your appointment and home, and you probably won’t want to return to work until the next day because the effects of the drug takes a while to leave your system.

Pediatric Sedation Dentistry

Pediatric sedation dentistry is useful for children who might have an extreme fear of the dentist. Pediatric sedation dentistry can help kids stay relaxed and still in the dentist chair if they are undergoing procedures that are lengthier than a routine examination or filling. Children with special needs or who have a difficult time staying seated might also benefit from pediatric sedation dentistry. For many kids, sedation dentistry can mean the difference between a stressful experience or a relaxed one which can form a negative opinion of dentists than can follow children well into adulthood.

Getting Dental Treatment with Sedation at West Coast Dental

Here at West Coast Dental, our highly-skilled dentists can advise you on the best course of dental treatment using sedation to suit your needs. Set up an appointment today.

Team of Board Certified Specialists

Our team of board-certified specialists offers the best in dental care to help you obtain the most appropriate dental treatment and give you the smile you deserve.

Same Day Appointments Available

If you are experiencing a dental emergency, be sure to call and schedule a same-day appointment. We are here for you.

Accept most insurances

At West Coast Dental, we don’t want financial concerns to prevent you from getting the dental care you need. We accept most insurance plans and we have accessible payment plans to make getting the dental care you need accessible and affordable.

Dental Discount Program

We offer a dental discount plan to help keep expenses down through the Dental Alliance Discount Plan. We also offer financing options through Dental Alliance Financing and CareCredit to help keep treatment affordable.

 

FAQ

How long does the pain last after wisdom tooth extraction?
It usually takes about three or four days after wisdom tooth extraction to start feeling better. However, if you had impacted wisdom teeth, tooth extraction healing could take as long as a week. If you develop an infection or dry socket — which happens when the forming blood clot is dislodged from the extraction site — the healing process can take longer. If you have swelling and stiffness after your wisdom teeth extraction, you can expect this to last anywhere from three days to a week or as many as 10 days.
How long will it take to recover from a tooth extraction?
Most people do not need prescription painkillers after tooth extraction. Mild discomfort following tooth or wisdom tooth extraction can usually be treated with an over-the-counter pain reliever.
How many teeth can be extracted at once?
Most dentists will recommend that you get all the teeth that need to be extracted pulled in one visit. It is easier to do all the needed extractions in one visit. Tooth extractions and tooth extraction recovery are disruptive to normal routines. So, having it done in one trip to the dentist also means there is just one period of recovery.
Can I brush my teeth after a tooth extraction?
It is important to keep your mouth clean after tooth extraction. You can brush and floss your teeth afterward. It is important to avoid the extraction site, however, or you may dislodge the blood clot that is forming as part of the tooth extraction recovery process.
Should I revisit my dentist after a tooth extraction?
Tooth extraction recovery is generally a straightforward process, but sometimes you may need to make a return visit to the dentist. If you develop any signs of an infection or dry socket, follow-up dental treatment is recommended. Depending on the reason for the tooth extraction, you might need to visit the dentist for replacement teeth.
What should a tooth extraction look like when healing?
Within 24 hours following your tooth extraction, you should notice a blood clot forming in the tooth socket which is part of the tooth extraction recovery process. After the clot forms, tissue should start to form over the wound. This tissue — which is made up of blood vessels, white blood cells, and collagen — is often a whitish color and is a positive sign of healing.
Is it common to feel pain in surrounding teeth?
If your tooth extraction is an especially difficult one, accidental damage to the teeth surrounding the extracted tooth is possible. Teeth adjacent to the extracted tooth can be vulnerable to infection when the near bums are opened up or if a tooth is cracked during the procedure. If you feel pain in your remaining teeth following the tooth extraction, you should contact your dentist.