Kinds of Sedation for Dentistry

If you or someone you know is afraid of the dentist, their oral health is probably suffering as they avoid cleanings and procedures they need. Sedation dentistry is the best solution for anyone afraid of the dentist because it calms you so you can get the oral work you need. There are several different types of sedation that can be used to help ease dentist appointments.

Lots of dentists say they offer "sleep" dentistry, but this doesn't mean you will be "put to sleep" or administered with the general anesthesia they use for major surgery. Instead, there are lesser forms of sedation that do the trick without the risks.

Anti-anxiety meds are the simplest way to achieve a feeling of calm for a dental appointment. A simple pill that you swallow will lend you a feeling of safety and relaxation so you won't feel afraid once in the dentist's chair. These meds are used for all sorts of fears, not just those related to dentists.

These pills work by calming down the part of your brain that reacts with anxiety. This means that the anxious part of your mind will feel calm and relaxed when the pills are in effect. You may have heard of these kinds of pills. Common brand names include Xanax, Valium and Ativan. They are all considered to be Benzodiazepines.

Basic sleeping pills can be useful, too. They induce a feeling of drowsiness that will not only help you get sleep the night before your appointment, they can also help you feel relaxed on the day of.

For something stronger, you can get sedation through IV. Having a needle in your arm or hand that delivers a drug that helps you relax can make a dentist appointment calm rather than traumatic. This type of sedation will leave you somewhat aware during the procedure. You will be able to respond to the dentist's questions and requests. However, it is not likely that you will have any memory of the procedure once it is over.

Another sedation technique is using laughing gas, or nitrous oxide. This has been used for many years and was actually first experimented with for dental purposes. It is administered through inhalation which means you breathe it in before the surgery. It is called laughing gas because it usually induces a feeling of happiness or even giddiness.

These are all types of sedation but they won't help lessen the pain of the procedure. For that, the dentist will use local anesthesia. This numbs the area where the work is being done. The combination of sedation and pain killers will give you the best possible dental experience.

Whatever your level of fear regarding dentists, finding an office near you that offers sedation services is key to keeping up on your oral health. Sedation dentistry offers several different options to make the whole experience as relaxed, calm and free of fear as possible.

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