subject: Types Of Methods Sedation Dentists Use To Treat Their Patients [print this page] Many individuals have anxiety about visiting the dentist because they think it will be an agonizing experience. Luckily, there are sedation dentists who use medication that prevent sufferers from feeling fear and anxiety during a dental appointment. Dentists give patients a sedative that makes them feel a deep sense of calm and eliminates fearful feelings they may have. There are different sedation techniques a dentist can use while working on a patient.
Oral conscious sedation is a method that requires the patient to swallow a prescribed pill. People who are afraid of needles usually prefer oral sedatives. It is also cheaper than the intravenous method. The pills can induce feelings of sleepiness or slow activity in the part of the brain that causes feelings of fear. Patients tend to either feel drowsy or calm. The dentist informs the patients how soon they should take the pills prior to the appointment.
Anxiolysis is another oral sedation technique that makes the patient feel very comfortable and calm. Dentists use anxiolysis on patients with a slight to moderate degree of anxiety. The patient is able to continue breathing on his own and remains awake after the effects of the pills set in. Patients can travel on their own without help after using this anxiolysis.
Laughing gas or nitrous oxide is another sedation option. Nitrous oxide is also used on patients dealing with mild to moderate levels of anxiety. The sedation dentist gives the nitrous oxide to the patient via a tube with a mask placed over the face. It reduces the pain and causes a feeling of euphoria. The nitrous oxide wont affect the patients ability to travel on his own to and from the dentists office.
Intravenous sedation is administered into the patients veins. The effects of this method are felt very quickly. Patients remain conscious but will feel at ease and wont have any pain. Patients are usually advised not to drive or operate machinery for at least twenty-four hours after the appointment is completed. The exact amount of time it takes for the patient to fully recover varies per person.
Sedation dentistry increases the willingness of patients to get the treatment they need in order to maintain their dental health. The drugs help the patient relax and make the patient more comfortable. This type of dentistry also saves time since dental procedures do not have to be delayed or spread out over a serious of appointments due to a patients discomfort. Whether it is a minor procedure or major surgery, the use of sedatives has been beneficial for millions of dental patients.
Sedation dentists know that the sterile atmosphere in the office doesnt help soothe a patients anxiety. The typical dentist office environment may exacerbate fears the patients already have. Once an individual is sedated, those anxious thoughts are significantly reduced. An assistant closely monitors the patient during the dental procedure and makes sure the patient is comfortable. Dentists who offer sedation are certified and properly trained in the various methods.
