Sedation refers to using medication to relax a patient before a procedure. While sedation can be administered to help patients relax during long or complex procedures, sedation can also be used to provide comfort during a routine process, such as simple dental cleaning.
Before recommending sedation, our dentist at Southeast Family Dental will go over your medical history and ensure that your overall health is in good condition. Your dentist will determine when you can go home and will provide medication that will help you stay relaxed until you can relax.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation can be administered in pill form or through a liquid. This helps you relax but still be conscious and able to respond to instructions. Oral sedation is the perfect choice for patients anxious about their treatment. Many patients prefer oral sedation to nitrous oxide because the effects can be felt more quickly, and the patient doesn’t lose consciousness.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is a moderate form of sedation dentistry. You remain conscious during IV sedation, but the level of relaxation is more controllable than that of oral sedation. During IV sedation, a sedative medication is delivered directly into your bloodstream. You’ll begin to feel drowsy within minutes, and the effects may be adjusted to last several hours.
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a popular type of sedation dentistry. This sedation method works quickly, so patients only need to be in the dentist’s office for a short period to receive the sedative gas. The gas is inhaled through a mask that fits over the nose and mouth. Once inhaled, the gas works quickly, and patients often feel its effects within 30 seconds. The dentist can control the amount of gas the patient receives, so the method can be used for deeper levels of sedation if needed.
The Advantages of Sedation Dentistry
Patients who have dental anxiety or dental phobias can benefit from sedation. The sedation medication is administered by a trained dental professional, ensuring that the patient will feel comfortable and safe throughout the entire procedure.
Sedation dentistry allows patients to get the care they need without anxiety or discomfort. Some patients experience anxiety when thinking about a dental procedure or going to the dentist. This can result in them avoiding the dental care that they need. The dentist can calm the patient’s fears by using sedation to provide them with quality dental care.
Sedation is a process that allows patients to undergo a dental procedure while comfortably relaxing in a calm setting. To learn more about the advantages of sedation dentistry, visit Southeast Family Dental at 6020 Southeastern Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46203, or call Dentist in Indianapolis, IN at (317) 359-8000.