Going to the dentist should always be a comfortable experience that helps improve not just your oral health, but your mental health too, as you no longer have to worry about the aesthetics of your smile, bad breath, difficulty talking, or many other conditions. That’s why here at Brookfield Oral Surgery we offer sedation options to help you always feel at ease.
What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry includes a number of different techniques, all with the same goal – giving everyone the opportunity to undergo vital and even potentially life-saving dental procedures. Sedation dentistry can help every patient feel calmer and more comfortable during any treatment, from a basic teeth cleaning to oral surgery. While you may have heard sedation dentistry referred to as sleep dentistry, most techniques actually keep you conscious.
What sedation options are available for me?
Broadly speaking, there are four main types of sedation that mostly differ based on how they are administered. Most people are familiar with inhaled sedation, also known as nitrous oxide or laughing gas. Nitrous oxide keeps you awake, but helps relax you. Its effects are immediate and wear off quickly, and often you can drive afterward. Oral sedation is when you take a prescribed pill, either the night before the procedure or one hour before. Like with laughing gas you’re awake, though you likely won’t remember much. IV sedation also usually leaves you awake, though again you may not remember much. It’s faster-acting and allows us precision control of sedation levels. Finally, there’s general anesthesia, which is actually one of the less common types of sedation. This is where you are fully unconscious and is used only in special cases.
How safe is sedation?
We will not tell you that there is zero risk associated with sedation, but when performed in a professional setting by trained specialists it is a very safe, routine procedure. It is critical that before you opt for any sedation options you discuss it with your doctor, especially if you have obstructive sleep apnea or are overweight. We always carefully monitor your vital signs during any sedation, and are more than happy to explain the process in detail and answer any questions you might have.
Is dental sedation right for me?
Sedation is generally intended for anyone who wants to feel calmer and more comfortable while at the dentist’s. If you often feel discomfort during dental procedures, gag easily, or have extra sensitive teeth you may be able to benefit from sedation techniques. Children in particular are often administered sedatives. While only trained pediatric dentists can give oral sedation, nitrous oxide is very safe for children and is easily administered.