Have you ever experienced fear or anxiety when sitting in the dentist’s chair? You might have had a bad personal experience at the dentist, causing you to neglect to schedule regular dental checkups or dental procedures altogether.
If you avoid receiving dental care due to feelings of fear and anxiety, Newbury Dental Group can provide several types of sedation to achieve a comfortable and relaxed experience for our patients.
What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry allows your dentist to administer sedatives before or during dental care, helping patients relax during treatments. Dentists use sedatives to safely perform services such as cosmetic dental procedures or tooth extractions on patients. For patients, sedation dentistry is a relaxing alternative to experiencing dental procedures. Patients often have no memory of undergoing procedures and feel no fear or anxiety while in the dental chair.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
Mild sedation: This type of sedative can be administered orally or through inhalation. A common form of mild sedation is nitrous oxide, which is commonly known as ‘laughing gas.’ Mild sedatives such as nitrous oxide keep patients conscious throughout the procedure. Patients can breathe on their own and feel completely relaxed while dentists perform their services.
Moderate sedation: Oral medication and Intravenous Sedation (IV sedation) can help patients who experience more moderate forms of dental anxiety. Dentists may administer oral medicine for patients to take before arriving at their appointment. In the office, dentists may also inject sedatives directly into the bloodstream through a vein to ease anxiety faster. Similar to mild sedatives, IV sedation keeps you completely conscious and allows the dentist to control the level and length of sedation.
Although you will still be conscious after moderate sedation, it is highly recommended to have a responsible caretaker drive you home after the procedure.
Deep sedation: Another form of sedation is deep sedation. One of the most common forms of deep sedation is general anesthesia. General anesthesia can be given to patients who are receiving invasive or complex dental procedures like root canals or dental implants. Throughout the procedure, patients remain unconscious and require breathing assistance.
Like moderate sedation, we recommend having a caretaker accompany you to your dental appointment to ensure you will arrive home safely after any level of sedation.
Which Type of Sedation is Right For Me?
It is crucial to speak with your dentist about which type of sedation you will need for your next dental procedure. Schedule an appointment with Newbury Dental Group to receive the proper care and assistance you need for your pearly whites.