Sedation dentistry

Most people say that conscious oral sedation makes them feel like they slept through their appointment. However, you’ll be partially awake. The medication causes a bit of an amnesic effect, so there’s a good chance you might not remember anything

Oral sedation is a moderate-strength sedation option that allows you to feel as if you’re taking a light nap or are dozing off during your dental appointment. We recommend moderate sedation for pediatric dental patients or adults who need several restorative treatments or more complex care such as extractions and dental implants

Nitrous oxide (happy gas) sedation is a light analgesic that can be used on practically any basic dental procedure. It’s safe and effective for all ages. Laughing gas is particularly helpful for our patients with minor dental anxiety or hypersensitive teeth

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. Sedation can be used for everything from invasive procedures to simple teeth cleaning. It’s sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry,” although that’s not entirely accurate: patients are usually awake, except those under general anesthesia.

There are different levels of sedation offered, depending on a patient’s anxiety level and the complexity and duration of their planned procedure:

• Minimal sedation — The patient is awake but relaxed.
• Moderate sedation — Formerly called “conscious sedation.” Patients may slur their words when speaking and may not remember much of the procedure.
• Deep sedation — Patients are on the edge of consciousness but can still be awakened.
• General anesthesia — Patients are completely unconscious.

The following types of sedation are used in dentistry:

• Inhaled minimal sedation. Patients breathe nitrous oxide — otherwise known as “laughing gas” — combined with oxygen through a mask placed over their nose to help them relax. Your dentist controls the amount of sedation you receive, and the gas tends to wear off quickly. This is the only form of sedation where you may be able to drive yourself home after the procedure.
• Oral sedation. This is the most common type of anesthesia in sedation dentistry. Depending on the dosage given, oral sedation can range from minimal to moderate. For minimal sedation, patients take a pill, typically about an hour before a procedure. The pill will make you drowsy, although you’ll still be awake. A larger dose may be given to produce moderate sedation. Some patients become groggy enough from moderate oral sedation to fall asleep during the procedure, though they can be awakened with a gentle shake.
• IV sedation. Patients receive the sedative drug through a vein, so it goes to work more quickly. This method allows the dentist to continually adjust the level of sedation.
• Deep sedation and general anesthesia. Patients receive medications that make them either almost unconscious or totally unconscious during the procedure. With general anesthesia, you cannot be awakened until the effects of the anesthesia wear off or are reversed with medication.

Regardless of which type of sedation patients receive, they’ll also typically require a local anesthetic — a numbing medication at the site in the mouth where the dentist is working — to relieve any pain associated with the procedure.

Sedation may be a good choice for patients who have the following:

• Had traumatic dental experiences
• A strong fear of dental work
• Difficulty being numbed
• A low pain threshold
• A bad gag reflex
• Very sensitive teeth
• Complicated dental needs, such as root canals or a dental implant
• A large amount of dental work to be completed
• A dislike of the sounds and smells associated with dental care
• Anxiety about needles or injections
• A hard time sitting still in the dentist’s chair

Children are sometimes given sedation if they are terrified of going to the dentist or refuse to cooperate during the visit. Nitrous oxide tends to be safe in children, and almost every dentist can administer it. A smaller percentage of pediatric dentists are trained to give oral sedation. Oral sedation can be safe when kept within the recommended dosage for a child’s age and weight