Nearly 50 percent of Americans refrain from dental treatment due to fear or anxiety, according to the American Dental Association. Sedation dentistry can offer a comfortable option to delaying or avoiding dental treatment. Patients who seek timely dental care are less likely to suffer the consequences associated with dental neglect, including severe periodontal disease, dental decay and tooth loss.
Sedation dentistry refers to the use of medications to cause a calm, relaxed sensation during dental treatments or procedures. Dentists have a variety of medications available to help their patients manage anxiety or discomfort, in which they may use inhaled sedation, oral sedation or IV sedation, based on the treatment and the individual patient.
Inhaled sedation tends to be the lightest type of sedation and enables the patient to remain awake and able to cooperate as needed. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is administered through a mask placed over the nose, and the patient is instructed to breathe through his or her nose. Once the dental procedure is completed, the patient is provided with oxygen, which helps clear the nitrous oxide from his or her system more quickly.
Oral sedation is achieved through certain anti-anxiety medications and can be either a light or a moderate kind of sedation, and it may be utilized alone or with inhaled sedation. Dentists will provide their patients with a prescription for these medications ahead of time together with instructions for use. Patients who use oral sedation will generally require someone else to drive them to and from their dental appointment.
IV sedation tends to be a moderate form of sedation, which can enable the patient to fall asleep during treatment but remain conscious enough to cooperate as needed. IV sedation is not as typical as oral sedation and inhaled sedation and may be inappropriate for patients who are uncomfortable with needles. In some cases, deep sedation may be needed for some patients. Deep sedation is established through general anesthesia. Only a specially trained dentist is eligible to administer general anesthesia.
While most people consider sedation dentistry something that generally benefits those who suffer from dental anxiety or phobia, it can serve a broad range of patients, specially those with special needs. Patients with autism, Asperger's syndrome, Alzheimer's, Down syndrome and similar health conditions may find dental treatment to be troublesome or even frightening. Sedation dentistry can provide them with a more positive experience and enable them to get the dental care they need.
Patients who do not suffer from dental anxiety, but who suffer from an active gag reflex or who have a low pain threshold may also benefit from sedation dentistry. Sedatives can help them feel more relaxed, calm their reflexes, and provide a virtually pain-free experience.
You can visit BestNorthHollywoodDentist.com to learn more about sedation dentistry options. Our North Hollywood sedation dentistry specialist offers various options to help patients have a more comfortable and pain-free treatment.