Sedation dentistry is an excellent way for many patients who either avoid dental care or are physically unable to receive dental care in a traditional setting to get the dental care they need. Patients suffering from dental anxiety, special needs patients, those who cannot get numb with Novocain, severe gag reflex, and other patients whose have physical or mental challenges that make it difficult or impossible to sit still in the dentist chair.
Sedation dentistry can be a little confusing for dental patients. Sedation dentistry can cover everything from the mildest level of sedation such as nitrous oxide or mild oral sedatives to full unconscious sedation. Sedation levels should be thought of as a continuous sliding scale of sedation rather than distinct levels.
The mildest level of sedation is meant to simply relax the patient and relieve some anxiety. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and mild oral sedatives that most dental practices offer to their patients. Stronger oral sedatives produce a moderate level of sedation.
Intravenous sedation produces a drowsy, very relaxed state with some suppression of pain as well. Intravenous sedation is easier to control than oral sedation by adjusting the amount of sedative. Patients are conscious and can respond to questions though in many cases the patient will doze off during the procedure. Patients usually do not remember having the procedure.
Full unconscious sedation is the safest and most humane alternative for some dental patients. Dental procedures under full unconscious sedation are performed in a specially equipped surgical suite with the assistance of an anesthesiologist.
Most dentists can offer the mildest forms of sedations, but dentists who practice intravenous sedation and full unconscious sedation have received extensive specialized training in sleep and sedation dentistry.
