Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry is the use of medications to help patients relax during dental treatments. Any procedure can be done under sedation, from routine teeth cleaning to complicated dental implant surgery. The sedative calms the central nervous system and puts the patient in a deeply relaxed state while remaining conscious throughout.
Sedatives relieve anxiety and feelings of dread, reduces your awareness of what’s happening around you and makes you remember little or nothing about sitting in the dental chair. Even if you’re not completely terrified of the dentist, sedation can guarantee a comfortable experience.
A Walk in the Park – Video explains Sedation
Top Reasons for Sedation Dentistry
Dr. Anderkvist finds the following are the most common reasons patients have sedation dentistry:
- Excessive anxiety or fear making relaxation difficult during an appointment.
- Overactive gag reflex (Gagging is a sudden, involuntary contraction at the back of your throat when an external object touches / passes through the back of your throat). This reflex attempts to stop objects entering the throat except as part of normal swallowing.
- Very sensitive teeth
- Urgent dental or gum issues.
- Sore jaws are sore due to any disease or condition
- Physical disabilities such as back or neck disorders
- Patient’s own choice or preference.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
There are numerous real benefits to patients who are given anesthesia during dental visits. The following are the most significant:
- SAFETY: To date, no major adverse effects have been reported. You are never left alone and your vital signs (pulse, blood pressure) are continuously monitored during the entire procedure.
- FREEDOM FROM PAIN: Depending on the type of anesthesia, you will have little or no memory of pain or discomfort.
- SPEED: With the help of dental sedation, long and complicated dental treatments can be quickly completed. Extensive procedures that might need 6 to 8 conventional visits can be easily performed in as little as one visit with sedation dentistry.
- EASE: For those who are anxious, have sensitive teeth and gums or periodontal disease, or have other health issues sedation dentistry reduces stress dramatically.