Dental anxiety is a common concern. This fear can range from mild anxiety to severe phobia, often preventing people from seeking essential dental care. To address this issue, many dental practices offer sedation options that help ease anxiety, making dental visits more comfortable and stress-free.
Understanding the types of dental sedation available can empower patients to make informed decisions about their oral health care. So, what types of dental sedation are available? The different options vary depending on the level of sedation needed.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas, is one of the most popular sedation methods in dentistry. Administered through a mask placed over the nose, this colorless gas creates a sense of euphoria and relaxation. Patients remain awake and aware during the procedure, and the effects wear off quickly once the gas supply is stopped. Nitrous oxide is considered safe and effective for most patients, including children, and allows people to remain fully conscious during their procedures [1].
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation is another widely used option, which involves taking a medication in pill form. Typically taken an hour before the dental appointment, these medications range from mild to moderate in strength, depending on the patient’s level of anxiety and the complexity of the procedure [2]. Oral sedation offers a deeper level of relaxation than nitrous oxide, is easy to administer, and can help patients with more moderate dental anxiety relax during procedures.
Intravenous (IV) Sedation
IV sedation is used for patients with severe dental anxiety or phobia, as well as those undergoing complex procedures. This method involves administering sedatives directly into the bloodstream through an IV line, ensuring quick effects and allowing the dentist to adjust the sedation level as needed. Although patients are typically awake, they may have little to no memory of the procedure. IV sedation is considered to be safe and can be customized based on the patient’s particular needs [3].
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is the most intensive form of sedation. It is usually reserved for complex oral surgeries or patients who cannot tolerate lesser forms of sedation, such as patients with special needs [4]. Under general anesthesia, the patient is completely unconscious, requiring the presence of an anesthesiologist to monitor vital signs throughout the procedure. This form of sedation allows patients to be completely unconscious and have no memory of the procedure afterward.
Find the Right Sedation Type for Your Dental Procedure
The right sedation option for you will depend on your age and overall health, procedure length and complexity, level of dental anxiety or fear, and previous experiences with sedation. If you experience dental anxiety and are considering sedation options, it’s important to discuss your options with your dentist. Take the first step towards a stress-free dental experience by contacting your dentist today to ask about sedation dentistry!
Sources:
- https://www.ada.org/resources/ada-library/oral-health-topics/nitrous-oxide
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1993866/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5005095/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5564153/
