Every day, with the progress of science, many ways are invented to solve human problems. One of these problems is the fear of dentistry. Unfortunately, some people do not go to dental clinics for treatment due to fear of dentistry. Fear of the dentist is one of the problems that interfere with dental treatment. In some sources, the fear of dentistry is called Dentophobia. In addition to dentophobia, people may not be interested in using dental treatments for other reasons such as severe reflexes. To solve these problems, a new way has been found called sedation or dentistry in sleep. In this article, we are going to talk about this modern method.
Dentistry in sleep
In this dental method, strong sedatives and anesthetics reduce the patient’s fear. In this way, the dentist corrects and treats the patient’s teeth without any problems. This new treatment method is called dentistry in sleep. Of course, this name is not completely correct because the patients are usually awake in this method. One of the treatments that this method is very effective is specialized root treatment.
What type of sedation is used in dentistry?
The following types of sedatives are used in dentistry:
Gas inhalation
The most dental use is done in sleep through gas inhalation. In this way, a mask is placed on the patient’s nose. A person breathes nitrogen oxide. The patient will be numb and you will not feel any pain during the procedure.
Anesthetics
Anesthetics can range from minimal to moderate, depending on the dosage used. Different materials are used in this method.
Using pills from special drug families such as Valium is one of these cases. When anesthesia and longer anesthesias are needed, higher doses or injectable anesthetics are used.
Regardless of the type of sedation received during treatment, the patient usually needs a local anesthetic. This is because it relieves pain if it causes discomfort.
Suitable candidates for dentistry in sleep
Sedation is more suitable for people who have dentophobia. Fear in these people prevents them from going to the dentist. It should be noted that they will not feel any pain at this time.
In general, dentistry in sleep is suitable for people who:
- They have a low pain threshold.
- They cannot sit still in the dental chair.
- Teeth are susceptible to pain.
- They need a lot of dental work done.
- They have fear related to dental procedures.
- They have had a bad experience in dental procedures in the past.
- They have especially sensitive nerves in the mouth and teeth.
- They have small mouth that hurts during dental work.
- Resistance to local anesthesia.
- Generalized anxiety disorder.
Can any dentist perform sedation?
All dentists can use minimal sedation. Of course, for this type of treatment, the dentist must have completed specialized anesthesia courses. Most maxillofacial surgeons have completed specialized anesthesia courses. Of course, some dentists use a general anesthetist.
The reliability coefficient of sedation treatment
Anesthesia in dentistry, like other treatment methods, may have its side effects. These complications may occur for obese people, people who have certain diseases, and who use different medicines. Medicines may interact with the anesthetic and cause dangerous problems and complications for the person. For this reason, be sure to talk to the dentist in Ottawa about the medications you are taking before starting the treatment.