Hello! Dr. Comerci here with Integrity Dental in Pueblo, CO. I’d like to take a few minutes to answer some questions today about sedation dentistry. Let’s jump into it!
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Dentistry can be done in various ways. For some patients it can be very stressful, so we offer various types of sedation dentistry here at Integrity Dental. Sedation dentistry means different ways to help the patient relax during dental therapy.
What are the Different Types of Dental Sedation?
There are 4 different types of sedation dentistry we offer at Integrity Dental. The lightest is called Nitrous Oxide. This is when you have a nose piece, and you breathe in nitrous oxide that makes you very relaxed. The second type is called oral sedation which is when the dentist prescribes you a pill that you will pick up at the pharmacy and take before your appointment. For this type, you will need to arrive with an escort and leave with an escort since this is kind of a “sleeping pill” to lightly sedate you. The next type is called IV Sedation, it’s also sometimes called “twilight sedation,” “moderate sedation,” or “conscious sedation.” IV sedation is when start an IV on the patient and administer medications directly into the system and is a slightly deeper sedation than oral sedation. The final type of sedation is General Anesthesia. For General Anesthesia we will start an IV for medication, administer certain gases for you to breathe in, and typically intubate the patient to help with breathing appropriately.
Why is Sedation so effective at treating anxiety in dental procedures?
Well, as we just went over, there are various types of sedation for dentistry which allows you to pick which level of sedation would be most appropriate for you! It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. If you feel just a slight amount of anxiety, you can pick the lowest level or a lower level of sedation. And if you have had a terrible experience with dentistry before and want to be very sedated for your procedure, you have that option too. So depending on the severity of the anxiety or procedure or need, we have a sedation option that will fit that need well!
Is Oral Sedation safer than General Anesthesia?
Yes. Oral sedation is generally one medication that you take to help make you relax in the dental chair so that you can tolerate dental procedures easier. General anesthesia is much more involved and requires a combination of medications, usually through both an IV and through inhalation. So, it’s a combination of drugs and you are going to a deeper level of sedation which involves more risk. So, it does have a higher risk level than sedation and is only appropriate for people of a certain level of health.
What do Oral Surgeons use for sedation?
Oral surgeons have a lot of tools at their disposal; they can use any of the sedation methods I talked about before. Typically, they use IV, or conscious/moderate, sedation. However, they also have the training and ability to give you drugs that will put you all the way asleep for a short period of time. So, they have the ability to do whatever you need for your procedure.
What can I expect during Oral Sedation?
Well, if you are going to be prescribed oral medication, you need to have that before your appointment and pick it up beforehand at the pharmacy and take it about 45 minutes to an hour before your appointment. And you will need to have an escort to take you to and from your appointment. About 20-30 minutes after taking your medication, you should start to feel the medication take effect. You will start to feel a little drowsy, and then by the time you get to your dental appointment, you should be at the peak of the effect of the medication. You should feel slightly sleepy and much more relaxed. Sometimes you will feel just relaxed enough to have the procedure while still awake, sometimes you will actually fall asleep because of how relaxed you are. The dentist can decide if they want you to take additional medication for your procedure during or before your appointment. And again, after the appointment, you must have an escort home!
Do you need sedation for a tooth extraction?
No! The vast majority of extractions that are done are completed with local anesthetic which means the dentist will give a local injection to make the area numb and then remove the tooth without any sedation necessary. However, if the extraction is going to be more involved like an extraction of all four wisdom teeth at the same time, typically sedation is recommended. If it’s a big case or if the patient requests it, we can do sedation for any procedure!
Are you awake while under sedation?
That depends on the level of sedation. You are awake during Nitrous Oxide. Typically, you are awake during oral sedation. You’re typically awake during IV sedation but very sedated and relaxed, although you won’t remember much and will probably feel like you were asleep. And under General Anesthesia you are completely asleep during.
Is sedation dentistry painless?
This also will depend on the level of sedation. With nitrous oxide, oral, and IV sedation, you will still be conscious enough to feel the injection when the dentist is numbing you. Even when we sedate patients, we also want to ensure that the patient is comfortably numb. With those sedation types, once you are at peak sedation, the only thing you should feel are the injections used to numb you.
What are the side effects of sedation dentistry?
With any drug anywhere, even things like Tylenol from the grocery store, there are always possible side effects. So, if you are having these medications for the first time, there is a possibility of what is called an adverse reaction, meaning a negative and unintended reaction. The medication could have a more potent or less potent reaction than expected. The dentist will always have to pay close attention to monitor and decide how much medication to give and how long to space the dosages. Generally speaking, these medications are very safe and are administered very frequently. Some of the most common side effects are nausea and feeling groggy afterwards.
How can I request sedation during my next dental procedure?
When you come in to see your dentist, be sure to explain your history and tell us if you have any dental anxiety because it is important for the dentist to know that. If you have any anxiety about procedures or a desire to use sedation, please ask the dentist. At Integrity Dental we offer all four of the sedation options mentioned in this video. All you have to do is talk with either Dr. Thomas or me about which option would be best and the pros and cons associated with them in order to make the best decision. We could then give you a treatment plan with the estimated cost and get you set up to have your dental needs taken care of!
I hope that we answered all your questions regarding Sedation Dentistry today. If you have any further questions, feel free to call us at Integrity Dental, our number is (719) 545-2468.