Comfort and Calm: How Sedation Dentistry Can Improve Your Experience

Sedation dentist in Fairfield, ME know how to relax you and keep you calm during extensive dental procedures. Dental fear and anxiety are challenges that can creep in at any time. And it’s real!
Many people avoid visiting a dentist or undergoing dental procedures only due to mere dental phobia that may have been instilled due to unsatisfactory past experiences. But this doesn’t mean you need to avoid the oral care you deserve! With the advent of sedation dentistry, you can now receive oral care with ease and comfort.
What is meant by sedation dentistry? How does it help?
Sedation dentistry focuses on relieving stress and pain during dental procedures through sedation (a state of calmness, relaxation, or sleepiness caused by certain drugs). It helps you stay calm and relaxed so that the dentist can perform dental treatments with ease. It is also called conscious sedation or “twilight sleep” since technically you will be awake, but in a relaxed state feeling carefree. It creates short-term amnesia (forgetfulness) where you will experience insensitivity to pain without the loss of consciousness.
Sedation dentistry may help if you suffer from:
- Dental Anxiety
- A fear of visiting the dentist
- Increased gag reflex
- Extreme tooth sensitivity
- Feeling of claustrophobia
- Decreased sensitivity to local anesthesia
- Difficulty controlling movements
- Special needs (behavioral, cognitive, or physical)
What are the types of sedation used?
The most common types of sedation used in dentistry include:
- Nitrous oxide
- This is commonly known as laughing gas, which is inhaled through a mask.
- It leads to calming effects within 3 to 5 minutes of inhalation.
- Once the procedure is over, your dentist will administer pure oxygen to flush out the nitrous oxide.
- Oral sedation
- This method involves oral administration of sedative pills about an hour before the procedure.
- These may include diazepam, triazolam, and lorazepam.
- For pediatric use, dentists often use liquid sedation in the form of syrups.
- It may make you feel groggy, and recovery may not be as quick as nitrous oxide sedation.
- Intravenous (IV) sedation
- This is the deepest form of sedation where the medication is administered directly into your bloodstream through an IV line.
- The dosage will be adjusted according to the age and the length of the procedure.
- You may fall asleep and have little to no memory of the treatment when you wake up.
Do not let dental fear and anxiety prevent you from receiving the high-quality oral care that you deserve. If the idea of dental procedures scares, you and makes you uneasy, discuss with your dentist about sedation options tailored to your needs and pain threshold level. With sedation dentistry, you can overcome your fears and access the essential dental care necessary for maintaining long-term oral health.