Sedation Dentistry in Scottsdale, AZ
If you’re one of the millions of Americans who suffer from dental anxiety, then even a small procedure can be a big deal to you. Fortunately, there are ways to ease the discomfort and the fear you may be feeling about any dental work you may need. One method is to seek out a dental practice that makes it their priority to provide compassionate care to patients with dental anxiety. Another is to inquire about sedation dentistry with whatever dental practice you choose to use. Sedation dentistry is a safe and effective way to calm your nerves so that your dental procedure can go as smoothly as possible, and you can start smiling with confidence once again.
Dr. Seerat Mann, Dr. Todd Shatkin, and the team at Mini Dental Implants of America in Scottsdale don’t only offer sedation options for many of their procedures — they’re also committed to creating a calming atmosphere that can help put patients with dental fear at ease.
If you’d like to learn more about sedation dentistry and how it can ease your dental anxiety, read on for all you need to know.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is the practice of using medication to induce a more relaxed state in dental patients during their procedures. There are multiple types of sedation dentistry, ranging from minimal, in which you’re fully awake but extremely calm, to general anesthesia, in which you’re not only extremely relaxed but totally asleep.
Is Sedation Dentistry Right for Me?
Sedation dentistry is also considered to be a good option under the following circumstances:
- You suffer from neck or back pain
- You have sensitive teeth
- You have a sensitive gag reflex
- You have issues with your jaw or jaw pain
- You have issues with prolonged muscle control
Sedation dentistry is a great option for a wide range of people, but ultimately your dentist will have to assess your particular situation in order to determine whether it’s suitable for you and if so, what type of sedation dentistry you may need. Speak with them today to learn more.
Reasons Why Sedation Dentistry Might Not Be for You
It’s an unfortunate fact that not everyone is a suitable candidate for every kind of sedation dentistry.
There are a few different medical conditions and circumstances that may preclude you from a particular form of sedation or from sedation dentistry altogether.
Those conditions include:
- Allergies to sedatives
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Medication resistance
- Taking certain medications
- Chronic bronchitis or respiratory disease
- Sleep apnea
- Pregnancy
Age is also a factor in whether your dentist will recommend sedation dentistry. While it’s possible to use sedatives on children and people of advanced age, it’s important to exercise extreme caution when doing so, as both of these groups can be significantly more sensitive and prone to dangerous side effects.
Remember that not all of these conditions guarantee that you’re not a good candidate for sedation dentistry. Only your dentist can determine that for certain. If you’re interested in using sedation dentistry for a dental procedure, speak with them today to learn more.
The Different Levels of Sedation Dentistry
There are a few different kinds of sedation dentistry that you may be able to take advantage of during your upcoming dental procedure. Each type offers a different level of sedation and is administered in a different way.
The different levels of sedation include:
Minimal Sedation
This sedation is usually in the form of laughing gas or a pill. The patient will remain entirely conscious but will feel significantly more relaxed and at ease with the procedure. This type of sedation wears off quickly, meaning the patient may not need a chaperone to drive them home.
Moderate Sedation
Moderate sedation is most often administered orally or through IV. The patient will remain conscious but at a reduced level. This approach means that they will breathe independently and retain their reflexes and ability to respond to verbal commands but may have little to no memory of the procedure afterward.
Deep Sedation
This sedation is most commonly used for surgical procedures. The patient will be conscious, but not on a level where they’re able to respond to verbal commands, and they may need help breathing.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is rarely used unless for complex surgical procedures. The patient will be fully asleep, and they will need assistance breathing.
The chances are that the level of sedation you’re going to need for your procedure will be either minimal or moderate. Speak with your dentist today to learn more about what type of sedation you can expect.
The Different Types of Sedation Dentistry
There are four major types of sedation dentistry that you may receive for your upcoming procedure depending on the level of sedation required, the patient involved, and the nature of the procedure itself. Those four are listed below:
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, more popularly known as “laughing gas,” is the most commonly used form of sedation dentistry.
It’s considered to be a mild form of sedation as it does not put you to sleep but rather puts you totally at ease so that you can relax through the duration of the procedure. This form of sedation dentistry is very safe and wears off quickly after you’ve received your treatment.
Enteral Sedation
Enteral sedation is a term used to describe a sedative that is taken orally. Frequently, enteral sedation is used in tandem with nitrous oxide to achieve a greater level of calm and relaxation. The anti-anxiety medication valium is a common example of enteral sedation.
IV Sedation
When a certain procedure requires a deeper level of sedation, IV administration may be necessary. This sedation involves having the calming medication injected directly into a vein. You will not be unconscious under IV sedation, but your awareness of the procedure will be greatly reduced.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is used to put the patient fully under so that they are not conscious throughout the procedure.
There are a few ways of administering it, including through an IV or with gas inhalation. It’s not too common that this method of sedation dentistry is administered, but it may be used during complex oral procedures.
Is It Safe?
If you’re the type to feel anxiety about visiting the dentist, then chances are you may be feeling a little tentative about using dental sedation, as well.
The good news is that sedation is largely safe, provided it’s being used by an experienced dentist. This safety is especially true of the more mild forms of sedation dentistry, such as laughing gas or enteral sedation.
However, that doesn’t mean there aren’t risks involved with these sedatives. In order to mitigate these risks, your dentist will go over your medical history before determining whether you’re a suitable candidate for sedation, and then they will cover the different risks with you in order to ensure that you’re comfortable with them.
Schedule A Free Consultation Today!
If you want to learn more about sedation dentistry, contact Mini Dental Implants of America in Scottsdale today for your free consultation. We serve patients in Scottsdale, Mesa, Tempe, Phoenix, and throughout the State of Arizona.
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