Anyone who grew up before the past 20 or so years remembers the days of going to the dentist with a cavity and what that meant. Dentistry has come a long way, both in terms of advancement and in finding less invasive and less painful solutions. Sedation dentistry in Fairfield, CT, is not something that all dentists offer, but it might be something that you are actively seeking for yourself and your family. This is what sedation dentistry is and the benefits it offers.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is a process that dentists use to ease anxiety, limit movement, and make unpleasant dental procedures less painful. Unlike anesthesia, when you are given sedation, you are completely awake, but you aren’t alert or aware. That means it gives you nearly all of the benefits of anesthesia without the risks associated with full anesthesia. Sometimes it is referred to as a “twilight" sleep; you are not sleeping, but it provides a short-term amnesia effect that allows you to not be aware of the procedure while it’s going on.
Who Benefits from Sedation Dentistry in Fairfield, CT?
The reasons that patients need or want sedation dentistry vary from one condition and one patient to the next. It works well and is effective for patients of different ages as well.
Some of the reasons someone wants sedation dentistry include:
- Fear of the dentist
- Anxiety
- A hyperactive gag reflex
- Aichmophobia or a fear of needles
- Sensitivity
- High risks associated with anesthesia
- Special-needs patients or those who have a problem sitting still
What are the Different Types of Sedation?
Depending on why you require sedation, your dentist will choose the most appropriate type. The most common forms of sedation dentistry are nitrous oxide intravenous (IV) and oral conscious sedation.
Laughing Gas/Nitrous Oxide
The more common and less invasive type of oral section is laughing gas or nitrous oxide. It is called laughing gas because it gives you a feeling of floating and calmness. The amount that you receive during your procedure varies according to how long the procedure takes and how long it takes to run through your system.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Usually, oral conscious sedation comes in pill form. It is taken about an hour before the procedure as you enter the office. The most commonly used medicines are diazepam, triazolam, zaleplon, and lorazepam. Oral sedation will make you very sleepy and may put you to sleep. It affects both your motor skills and memory, so patients need some assistance getting home after the procedure.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is conscious sedation that uses IV medications while anesthesiologists monitor your blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate. Of the different types of sedation, IV sedation usually results in the patient falling asleep and leads to a high level of memory loss.
What are the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry in Fairfield, CT?
Sedation dentistry is a great way to ease fears related to oral procedures. Whether the patient has had a previous negative experience or they are anticipating one, sedation dentistry helps to calm their fears, gets them to relax, and helps with pain reduction. The major benefit that sedation dentistry offers is that it has most of the same properties and benefits of anesthesia, like helping a patient to be still through a long procedure, but it comes with fewer risks than regular anesthesia.
Not all dentists offer oral sedation in Fairfield, CT, but if you are looking for a family dentist, you might want to consider finding one who offers the many benefits that it provides. From pain reduction to curbing anxiety to keeping the patient still, it provides many of the same benefits of general anesthesia without any of the risks. At Dr. Cheung, we provide the most comprehensive set of oral care procedures and treatments in the dental care industry. Contact us today to schedule your appointment!