Sedation dentistry involves putting a patient in a state of full relaxation or unconsciousness for the duration of a dental procedure.
It is widely used and has many benefits. One advantage is it helps assuage fears or concerns of people who have been hesitant to undergo various dental procedures.
Dental professionals use several different types of sedation. There is mild inhalation sedation which involves giving the patient nitrous oxide and oxygen to elicit a relaxed and sometimes drowsy effect.
On the other end of the scale, deep sedation involves general anesthesia and causes the patient to lose consciousness.
Your age, size, and any medical conditions are considered by your dentist when prescribing a suitable form of sedation for you.
Below are seven reasons why sedation dentistry could be the right choice for you.
Many people put off going to the dentist's office even when they are experiencing severe toothaches or other oral diseases.
The reason for this hesitation can stem from a fear of medical procedures or a severe phobia for dental procedures.
Sedation helps in ridding the patient of anxiety by putting them in a calm and almost dream-like state or putting them to sleep completely.
Having to undergo a lengthy procedure in one appointment is a common reason for pushing dental appointments to the back burner.
Sedation dentistry should be considered as it puts you in a state where you do not feel any pain or pressure during the lengthy process.
Instead of scheduling several appointments, you can get all your procedures done in one appointment when you are sedated.
Sitting still on a chair with your mouth open for an extended period is not the most comfortable position.
After a while, you would begin to feel some discomfort, especially in parts that are in contact with the chair.
Being sedated helps you to sit still during your treatment without feeling any side effects or discomfort.
Most people would be better receptive to treatment when they are not experiencing any undue discomfort.
The dentist's work might be hindered by some natural responses to stimuli such as the gag reflex or closing the mouth in response to pain.
These actions can derail a procedure, thereby increasing the time and effort needed to complete the process.
Sedation impairs your body's natural reflexes and makes the dentist's job easier during treatment.
The procedure can, therefore, be completed in good time with fewer risks of complications.
The pricking and prodding of sharp objects into the gums and teeth can cause a significant amount of pain, especially in people who have a low pain tolerance.
Patients with sensitive teeth and gums can suffer a higher level of discomfort than usual. Sedation dentistry helps to dull the patient's perception of pain or removes the sensation of discomfort altogether.
Sedation is an excellent way to ensure adequate immobility, which is needed for the success of the dental procedure.
It is beneficial for those who find it challenging to sit still, have a disability, and for children who might get frightened or unsettled by the equipment or the treatment process itself.
Sitting with the mouth open while staring at the ceiling or the dentist's face can become awkward or uncomfortable after a while.
Some patients might also wish to have no memory of the procedure as it might affect them negatively in the future.
Opting for dentistry sedation is a good choice as it makes the time pass faster, making a lengthy procedure feel like a 30-minute process.
Deep sedation prevents the patient from having any memories of the operation, thereby reducing the risk of negative impacts on the patient's health and wellbeing.
