Sedation Dentistry

Many people fear even the thought of having dental appointments. And if the procedure is complicated, the amount of stress and anxiety would be quite high. For such people who dread dental procedures, sedation dentistry can help reduce their discomfort and fear. 

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is the process of administering sedation during a patient's dental treatment. Dental practices offer a broad range of sedation methods to ensure that the patients are kept calm and relaxed during their dental procedures. Sedation procedures aim to induce a state of deep relaxation in the patient during the entire period of the dental treatment.

Common Types of Sedation in Dentistry

Sedation techniques can come in many forms; the major ones are oral sedatives, nitrous oxide sedation, and intravenous sedation. Let's have a look into the various sedation types.

• Oral Sedatives

One of the most commonly used types of sedation dentistry, oral sedatives, helps patients overcome dental phobia and anxiety. With oral sedatives, a relaxed state of mind is induced in the patient, thus decreasing the patient's discomfort and pain. The patients would be conscious about everything around them, and they can understand and react to the dentist during the procedure. Patients administered with oral sedation can express the pain or anxiety they may be experiencing. However, they will have no memory of it once the procedure is over.

• Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, also referred to as laughing gas, is given to the patient before dental procedures with the help of a comfortably fitting nasal breathing mask. Nitrous oxide, when given along with oxygen, can induce a calming effect on distressed patients. 

• Intravenous (IV) Sedation

Here, the dentist administers the sedative medication through an injection given directly into the hand's blood vessels. IV sedation can be used for more comprehensive and complicated dental procedures like tooth extraction or oral surgeries. The process is relatively safe. After administering IV sedation, though the patient remains conscious and awake during the dental procedure, it makes them forget everything about the treatment later. 

• General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is usually administered to patients when a complicated dental procedure is required. It is done to put the patient to sleep during a dental procedure. Dentists administer anesthesia in various ways, through an IV or gas inhalation as per the patient's needs. General anesthesia is safe when administered under professional guidance, and its effects wither off after some time.

Why Silver Firs Dental Services for Dental Procedures?

At Silver Firs Dental Services, we treat every patient with utmost care and attention and always strive to offer them the best service. Our sedation dentistry helps our patients have a comfortable dental experience.

To learn more about how to reduce your dental anxiety through sedation dentistry, call us at (425) 225-5757 or request an appointment online.