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Are you afraid to go to the dentist because you dread the sound of the drill or have a gag reflex? Don't let fear keep you from having a healthy, sparking smile! Pain is almost a thing of the past with sedation dentistry which can put you at ease during your dental procedure. Research shows that around 30% of the population has some degree of fear associated with the dentist. This common phobia often causes sufferers to actively avoid going to the dentist, even when they are suffering from serious dental problems, including decay and gum disease. Thanks to sedation dentistry, patients can now experience a relaxing and anxiety-free visit when receiving dental care. What is Sedation Dentistry? Sedation is a process that is used to establish a relaxed, easy and calm state through the use of sedatives. Administered in a variety of ways, sedative drugs include tranquillizers, depressants, anti-anxiety medications, nitrous oxide and several others. In the past, IV sedation, which are sedatives delivered via injection into the blood vessels of the hand or arm, was predominantly used to sedate a dental patient. Sedation allows dentists to create a state of relaxation and manage the fear and pain patients may experience during dental procedures. Some of the different types of sedation dentistry include:
• Local anesthesia - administered by injecting medication into tissue or by applying a medication topically to an area to eliminate sensation.
• Minimal sedation - used most frequently in dentistry and usually involves taking medications orally. All bodily functions remain normal and the person is able to breathe on his or her own. The patient may respond normally to verbal commands and may experience some degree of amnesia about what happened during their dental appointment. Nitrous oxide or "laughing gas" may be used to achieve minimal sedation and in combination with a recommended dosage of oral medication.
• Moderate sedation - achieved by using medications that can be taken orally or intravenously. Patients who undergo moderate sedation are awake and respond to touch and/or verbal commands. All bodily functions remain normal, and the patient does not need assistance breathing.
• Deep sedation - can be achieved by injecting medication, giving oral medications, and in combination with gases. Patients who are deeply sedated are not easily woken up, but may respond to some stimulation. Patients may need some breathing assistance at deeper levels.
Sedation Procedure Due to modern innovations, sedation dentistry is now safer and more effective than ever before. Alternatives to injected or intravenous sedation include nitrous oxide and intravenous approaches which do not require a needle. One of the most commonly used types of modern techniques is oral sedation. This simple technique requires no needles and makes patients so comfortable that many feel like they slept throughout the entire procedure. Oral sedation retains your consciousness to help maintain safety and cooperation throughout the dental work. It isn't the same as anesthetics and in many cases may require a local anesthetic to block the pain impulses from the problem area and will usually be applied once you have been sedated. Sedation dentistry helps patients to feel as if their dental surgery took only a couple of minutes when, in reality, it may have taken hours. This is particularly favorable to use when procedures are extensive and require hours of rebuilding. If you are reluctant to undergo cosmetic procedures due to fears about dental procedures, sedation dentistry offers you a relaxed and comfortable treatment. Even those who do not have a dental phobia will benefit from sedation dentistry, especially those who have difficulty controlling their gag reflex. Sedation dentistry is preferred over surgery performed under general anesthetics because the side effects can often remain for several hours afterward. Consult your Ottawa dentist for more information on sedation dentistry and how it can work for you.
Dr. Leila Ebrahimpoor is an experienced sedation and cosmetic dentist in Ottawa. With a focus on quality care and comfort, this Ottawa dentist offers a variety of dental treatments including tooth whitening, veneers and dental implants in Ottawa among many other smile-enhancing cosmetic procedures.
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