Granville Dental Wellness Group
Sedation Dentistry
Modern dentistry is performed very comfortably using local anesthesia. However, for those who feel anxious about dental treatment, oral sedation is used to make the appointment a relaxing experience. One of the major benefits of sedation dentistry is that people often feel like their dental procedure lasts only a few minutes, when in fact it might have taken hours to perform. Consequently, extensive dental procedures such as smile makeovers or extensive rebuilding procedures normally require multiple visits can often be performed in fewer appointments. If you are reluctant to change the appearance of your smile because you are afraid or anxious about undergoing long or complicated dental procedures, sedation dentistry can make you feel comfortable during and help you achieve a smile you can be proud of. Also, because sedation dentistry addresses some of the fears that keep people from going to the dentist on a regular basis, sedation dentistry patients are more likely to receive recommended routine care and are thus less likely to neglect their oral health. Oral sedation is suitable for most people, depending on the patient's medical history. Oral sedation can make a previously, nerve racking appointment a very comfortable one.
What is sedation?
Sedation is a process used to establish a relaxed, easy and calm state through the use of sedatives. Sedative drugs can be administered in a variety of ways. In the past, intravenous sedation or inhalation have been the traditional modalities of sedation. Today, oral sedation dentistry is now the most common technique used in North America to quell patient fears. The technique is easy and requires no needles. Best of all, the medications create a comfortable experience that most patients do not remember the visit; it is as if they slept through the treatment. In reality, oral sedation dentistry maintains a level of consciousness in the patient for safety and cooperation. Note that we still need to deliver a local anesthetic to temporarily block pain impulses from the affected teeth and gum tissue. However, this injection will occur after you are already sedated and comfortable, so most likely you won't be bothered or remember the sensation of having the injection. When receiving sedation dentistry, it is important to have a responsible caregiver accompany you to the procedure and to take you home afterwards.
