Different types of sedation in dentistry
Sedation dentistry focuses on reducing stress and pain through sedation. Different types of sedation in dentistry include mild sedation, oral and moderate sedation, and finally IV sedation.
All three methods have their place in sedation dentistry. But your medical history and other factors will determine the right choice for you. Some oral and maxillofacial surgeons use sedation in some cases in the treatment of impacted wisdom teeth.
Depending on the drugs used and their dosage, you can be treated with one of three types of sedation:
1. Mild sedative
To help you relax during the procedure, your dentist may recommend a combination of oxygen and nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. They administer this tasteless, colorless drug through a wearable mask that you can easily breathe through. You will remain awake but relaxed during dental surgery.
When it comes to laughing gas versus anesthesia, if you are prone to anxiety or are extremely stressed about the procedure, this option is an attractive solution. According to the American Dental Association, nitrous oxide is considered both safe and effective.
Nitrous oxide usually wears off quickly, allowing you to go home after the procedure. However, sometimes your dentist will use a sedative along with nitrous oxide and oxygen, so you will be safe to drive.
Laughing gas is safe for children and adults. This is because you are alert and awake during the procedure. If you have a dental phobia, your dentist may recommend laughing gas to help you relax in the chair. We gently place a mask over your nose and ask you to take a deep breath. It only takes a few moments for the laughing gas to start working.
Unlike other types of sedation dentistry, the effect of laughing gas wears off quickly. This means you can drive yourself home or back to work. Laughing gas has the least risk compared to other sedation methods. Any side effects will stop after removing the mask.
We can use laughing gas for everything from teeth cleaning to root canals. But keep in mind that intensive methods to prevent pain require more than laughing gas. For example, you need a local anesthetic to numb a tooth that needs a filling.
2. Moderate sedation
Like moderate sedation, deep sedation uses the same drugs as general anesthesia and puts you in a lower state of arousal. During this state, you will not readily respond to most stimuli, but you are not completely unconscious.
Some specialists will write you a prescription for an oral sedative (pill). Because oral sedation can make you drowsy, you will also need someone to drive you to and from our office.
Despite being partially conscious, you should be calm and pain-free during the procedure. Your experience of moderate sedation is usually similar to general anesthesia, where you don’t remember your treatment. The drugs used may also be similar to those used in general anesthesia, but the dosage will be different.
An oral sedative may make you drowsy enough to fall asleep. But if we need to cooperate with the dentist, we can easily wake you up. For example, Dr. Yoon may ask you to tilt your head during the procedure so that he can better access the tooth.
If your child is receiving oral sedation, you will need to keep him home after the appointment. You must supervise your child until the end of the day.
3. Heavy sedative
This technique (also called IV sedation) involves the use of intravenous (IV) medication to put you in a “twilight” state between waking consciousness and sleep. For IV sedation dentistry, we place an IV line into a vein. We insert it into your arm. An IV line provides a constant flow of medication. This way, you will be unconscious for the entire procedure.
Your safety is always our priority. That’s why we’re giving you complete instructions so you know what to expect. For example, you may need to fast several hours before your appointment. For this reason, many patients schedule their appointments in the morning.
Anesthesia and sedation safety
If you’re worried about anesthesia or sedation, take comfort in the fact that your dental professional (usually a dentist in Richmond Hill, oral surgeon, or maxillofacial surgeon) is trained to administer these medications and monitor your health. They put your safety first to minimize the risks associated with these options.
Your dentist will likely take steps to make sure you are healthy enough to have a wisdom tooth extraction or crownectomy, including taking your personal health history, your vitals (such as blood pressure and pulse), and Medicines you take.
Helpful tip: It’s smart to plan your trip home during recovery from general anesthesia or sedation. It’s important to follow your dentist’s advice for aftercare instructions so you don’t put yourself at risk after your procedure.
When learning about the different options for providing comfort during impacted wisdom tooth treatment, it’s important to remember that there is no single best answer. The best choice will vary for your history, health, and specific needs, and only your dentist can make the final call. Rest assured that they are specially trained to make the procedure as painless and stress-free as possible.
Sedation dentistry can help you relax in the dental chair. That way, you can get the dental care you need for a healthy smile. Our experts will help you explore your options for sedation dentistry so you don’t have any worries on the day of the procedure.
