Sedation Dentistry: Anodyne for the Fearful

Sedation dentistry is highly recommended for individuals who experience extreme anxiety and discomfort during dental treatments. The purpose of this article is to explain sedation dentistry in laymen’s terms, highlight some sedation procedures and help patients determine which sedation treatment best suits their needs.

It is important for patients to have appropriate dental sedations administered by certified dentists who are able to gauge their level of anxiety and individual needs. Patients also need to work with sedation dentists they’re comfortable receiving treatment from.

One of the mildest sedatives is laughing gas or nitrous oxide. Laughing gas is appropriate for patients who experience mild anxiety during the dental treatment and need a mild sedative to help them feel relaxed. Patients inhale a carefully administered dosage of nitrous oxide through a face mask. Patients then undergo treatment feeling relaxed and unable to recognize pain.

On the other hand, for patients who experience more severe discomfort and anxiety, especially during more complicated procedures like tooth extraction and root canals, Scottsdale dentists might recommend IV (Intravenous) sedation. IV sedation is powerful enough to depress the nervous system (so that patients sense very little pain) and dull conscious awareness. Though the patient is cognizant enough to follow any requests made by the dentist, they sense very little of what is happening. In addition, IV sedation produces an amnesia effect about the whole procedure. Hours can pass like minutes and patients often remember very little about the procedure.

Another more powerful sedative is oral conscious sedation or ‘sleep’ sedation. Only a properly certified sedation dentist Phoenix is allowed to administer this more extreme sedative. It is only recommended for patients who experience the most extreme forms of anxiety during dental procedures. This treatment involves ingesting oral medication one hour prior to treatment. The effects of the sedation can last for up to 24 hours so it is important for patients to be driven home and assisted by a trusted family member or friend.

Sedation dentistry makes going to the Scottsdale dentists a less traumatic experience for patients who have had painful experiences with dental treatment in the past; have issues with control and anxiety or have struggled with abuse. Going to the dentist should not be a psychological nightmare, but a stress-free experience.