Do You Believe It Is Possible to Relax in the Dentist's Chair during Any Procedure?

Dental procedures, regardless of whether they are minor or intensive, can make your body tense with fear. It is common for people to avoid dental treatments and suffer from the agony of a toothache than step into the dentist’s office. Many people are incredibly phobic about dental procedures and prefer not to have treatment even when it is essential.

If you are one among the millions fearful of dental procedures, you can take solace with the information that relaxing in the dentist’s chair is indeed possible with sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry in Ajax, ON, uses medication to help patients relax during dental treatments. Sedation dentistry, except for general anesthesia, keeps patients awake but relaxed during the procedures.

What Levels of Sedation Are Used during the Procedures?

Dentists use different levels of sedation to relax patients during dental procedures.

• Minimal sedation is used to keep patients awake but relaxed.
• Moderate sedation will make you slur your words when speaking and also make you forget most of the procedure.
• Deep sedation puts you on the verge of consciousness, making it possible for the dentist to awaken you if needed.
• General anesthesia makes you completely unconscious.

What Are the Types of Sedation Used in Dentistry?

• Inhaled minimal sedation, which is also known as laughing gas or nitrous oxide is administered by combining it with oxygen through a mask that is placed over your nose. Nitrous oxide helps you to relax, and the dentist in Ajax, ON, can control the quantity of sedation you receive. Nitrous oxide tends to wear off quickly and is the only method of sedation that enables you to drive back home after the procedure.
• If oral sedation is offered, the dosage can be minimal or moderate. Minimal oral sedation is in the form of a pill that can be taken an hour before the procedure. The medicine leaves you tired but awake during the process. If moderate sedation is recommended, you will receive a larger dose. Dentists offering sedation dentistry use oral sedation quite commonly. You may fall asleep from moderate oral sedation even during the procedure but can easily be awakened with a gentle shake.
• You will receive IV sedation for wisdom teeth removal, especially if the teeth are impacted and below the gum line. The sedative is administered through a vein and functions quickly. It also enables the dentist to adjust the level of sedation continuously.
• General anesthesia or deep sedation will make you almost or totally unconscious. When you receive general anesthesia, you cannot be awakened until the anesthesiologist reverses the effects of the medication.

Regardless of the type of sedation, you receive a local anesthetic will also be administered at the site of the procedure for the dentist. It is to relieve pain or any discomfort the process may cause.

Who Can Have Sedation at the Dentist’s Office?

People with real fear and dental anxiety that prevents them from visiting the dentist are appropriate for sedation dentistry. Oral sedation may also be suitable for patients who have a low pain threshold, sensitive teeth, need extensive dental work completed, and can’t sit still in the dentist’s chair.

Children are also sedated if they are scared of visiting the dentist’s office or are uncooperative during the visit. Nitrous oxide is most often used on children as any dentist can administer it. Some pediatric dentists have received training to administer oral sedation to children. It is a safe option when the dosage is limited according to the child’s age and weight.

Can Every Dentist Administer Sedation?

Dentists are trained to administer minimal sedation with nitrous oxide or pills. Presently more dentists are also giving moderate sedation. The number of dentists who have completed the program from the Commission on Dental Accreditation in deep sedation and general anesthesia is small because these are complicated procedures. Dental professionals working as oral and maxillofacial surgeons, as well as dental anesthesiologists, are the ones that are using sophisticated techniques. Dentists calling in experienced anaesthesiologists specially trained to administer different levels of anesthesia to children as well as adults are common and beneficial because it allows patients to have the treatments they need but are avoiding by relaxing in the dentist’s chair. Sedation dentistry removes the fear of the dentist from the minds of patients and is undoubtedly beneficial for all patients.