Four Questions About Dental Sedation For Nervous Patients

Nervous about having a dental procedure done? The answer to your problem may be to use sedation dentistry. Here are a few questions you may have about using sedation dentistry for your trip to the dentist.

What Are The Different Types Of Dental Sedation?

There are quite a few types of dental sedation, with each one having its own pros and cons. Nitrous oxide is a gas that you breathe in, which makes you more relaxed and wears off quickly after the procedure. IV sedation introduces a sedative into your bloodstream that makes you feel more relaxed and is often used for major dental procedures such as getting dental implants. You can also use oral medication sedation, which is where you take a medication that will make you feel more relaxed and ease anxiety, though you'll need someone to drive you to and from the dentist while you are medicated. 

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe? 

Know that all forms of dental sedation are going to be safe to use for your dental procedure. While some forms of dental sedation take longer to wear off than others, they are standard forms of sedation that are used for dental procedures. One thing to keep in mind is that it is not the same as using general anesthesia, which must be used in a proper hospital setting. While general anesthesia requires machines to help you breathe, dental sedation does not. 

How Will You Feel While Under Dental Sedation?

The goal of any form of dental sedation is to help you feel relaxed. Your worries and anxieties are going to go away, and you'll be able to get over any fears you may have about going to the dentist. While some forms of dental sedation leave you more awake than others, in general, you will remove the mental issues that have been holding you back from going to the dentist.

Know that dental sedation doesn't do anything to prevent you from feeling pain. However, it does make it easier for the dentist to administer local anesthesia, such as Novocain, which prevents you from feeling pain. 

What Prep Is Required For Dental Sedation?

Always check with your dentist to verify what kind of preparation is needed for dental sedation. They may request that you do not eat or drink anything for a specific period of time prior to using dental sedation because it can make you feel nauseous or cause food to obstruct your airways.

For more information, reach out to a local dentist and ask about sedation dentistry.


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