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Types Of Sedation Dentistry Offered At Dental Clinics

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Many people have a fear of having any dental work done, and end up not getting the dental care that they need. Dental issues aren't going to go away on their own, and they need to be treated in order to keep them from becoming worse. Luckily, you can ask the dentists at your local dental clinic to use sedation dentistry. This will make it so you are relaxed and able to sit through dental procedures. In most cases, even though it is also known as "sleep dentistry", patients are fully awake unless they are given general anesthesia. There are different types of sedation for different types of procedures.

Minimal Sedation

One of the most common types of sedation used at dental clinics is inhaled minimal sedation, which involves the patient breathing in nitrous oxide or laughing gas. This will help you to feel so relaxed that even though you know what is going on around you, it won't matter. As soon as the mask is removed from your face and you breathe in fresh air, you will lose the "high". This is the only type of sedation where the patient is allowed to drive after a procedure, because the effects completely wear off within minutes.

Oral Sedation

With oral sedation, you are given a pill to take about an hour before the procedure at the dental clinic. Often, the medication is Halcion, which is in the Valium family. You will likely remain awake, but you will be very sleepy. Depending on the dose, you may drift in and out of sleep throughout the procedure. If you do fall asleep, it will be a light sleep, and you can easily be awakened with a little shake.

Moderate Sedation

If you are having dental surgery, you may wish to opt for moderate IV sedation. The sedation drugs will be administered through a vein in your arm, which allows it to take effect faster. The dentist can regulate the amount of sedation you receive, and you may or may not end up falling asleep.

General Anesthesia

With this type of sedation, you will be completely asleep throughout the entire procedure. You will not wake up until the effects of the sedation drugs completely wear off, or until you are given medication that will reverse the effects of the sedation drugs. This type of sedation is most often used when patients require extensive dental surgery.

For more information, talk to a dentist, such as Bruce Stevens For Everything Dental.


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