Is the thought of visiting a dental clinic and going through a procedure giving you chills? Fear, apprehension, and anxiety while taking dental treatment are quite common not only in children but also in adults. The worry of high-intensity pain can make anyone jittery and restless, and they prefer to endure the agonizing pain instead of having a treatment. Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for those who have been putting off critical appointments because of the agitation and uneasiness about the dental procedure.
Sedation dentistry uses medications that help you to stay calm, relaxed, and comfortable during dental procedures. It uses a moderate level of sedation wherein you will be awake but won't feel any discomfort or pain. This procedure is favorable for patients who fear pain or tend to panic during lengthy and convoluted dental treatment procedures.
Sedation dentistry is often termed as twilight sleep or happy air, as the patient experiences short-term forgetfulness while going through the dental procedure without feeling any pain and losing consciousness.
Both children and adults can benefit from conscious sedation dentistry. However, it is often recommended for people who may have extreme tooth sensitivity, dread visiting the clinic, or someone who feels claustrophobic in a dental chair.
● Minimal sedation, where you would be awake but totally relaxed.
● Moderate sedation or conscious sedation, where you might forget about the procedure later.
● Deep sedation wherein you'll be extremely drowsy but can be awakened too.
At our clinic, we will go through your medication and health history before deciding if you are the right candidate for sedation dentistry. In all cases, we would closely monitor your sedation to ensure maximum safety and comfort.
Before beginning the dental treatment procedure, we will give you the right sedative medications. Once you start feeling comfortable enough with the sedatives, we will proceed with a local anesthetic to numb the gums and teeth. You will still be conscious but less aware of the procedure. You may also not remember the procedure after the effect of the sedative wears off.
The effect of sedation may differ from person to person. However, the most common signs are feeling drowsy and completely relaxed. Once you are completely under the effect of the sedatives, you'll feel that the anxiety and stress have almost disappeared. You may also feel numbness in your hands and feet accompanied by sluggishness that makes it difficult to move your limbs. Additionally, your reflexes tend to slow down, and you may respond to conversations slowly. You may also feel like laughing for no apparent reason.
The most common side effects of conscious sedation may last for a couple of hours after the procedure is done, which may include feeling drowsy, low blood pressure, headache, heaviness in limbs, nausea, and slow responses. We would advise you to bring a family member along who can take you back home after the dental procedure. Also, you should take proper rest until the sedative effect wears off completely, and don't forget to stay hydrated.
For more information on conscious sedation, contact our clinic today.
