Fort Lauderdale dentists explains more about sedation dentistry and how it works
Dental anxieties are common. Unfortunately, being afraid of the dentist or the dental environment can keep patients with severe fears from making routine appointments or improving their smiles. Understanding how sedation dentistry works can help patients undergo dental treatments without anxiety. Fort Lauderdale dentist, Dr. Yolanda Cintron explains more about sedation dentistry to help patients make informed decisions regarding their dental health.
Uses of sedation dentistry
There are three main forms of sedation dentistry – nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Each type offers different effects and levels of sedation. Depending on the patient’s need, sedation ranges from simple relaxation while awake to a deep, semi-awake state.
Sedation dentistry is a great option for the following situations:
- Easing dental fears or anxieties
- Reducing the sounds and feelings of the dental procedure itself
- Calming patients who have trouble sitting still for extended periods of time
- Relaxing patients who need significant dental work
How sedation dentistry works
Regardless of the type of sedative used, the goal is to relax the patient. Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas that the patient breathes in through a mask. The dental team controls the amount of medication the patient receives throughout the treatment. Nitrous oxide acts immediately to take the edge off of any anxieties. The patient remains awake and able to communicate. Once the treatment is over, the medication is turned off. There are no lingering effects, so patients can resume normal activities immediately. This is beneficial for patients who need to remain calm and still for extensive dental work.
Oral conscious sedation and IV sedation offer deeper relaxation but require pre-planning and transportation to and from the procedure. Oral conscious sedation is administered through a prescribed sedative that is taken prior to the treatment. The medication produces a drowsy but relaxing effect, so patients remain awake but very calm. IV sedation delivers medication through an IV and produces the deepest feelings of relaxation while the patient is in a semi-awake state. Patients who undergo IV sedation often do not recall their dental treatments making this effective for patients with extreme fears.
For more information about sedation dentistry, contact your Fort Lauderdale dentist at Go Natural Dentistry. Call (855) 381-6001.
