Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

We understand that seeing the dentist can be scary. About 50% of people report having some fear about getting dental work done, and sadly, 15% of people avoid dentistry completely because of fear or anxiety. Your oral health is important, and we don’t want anything to keep you from getting the treatment you need and deserve.

The Ancient Greeks used root herbs and alcohol as medical sedatives and anesthetics. The Incas used cocoa leaves to numb patients. As long as people have needed medical treatment, doctors have used sedatives to make them more comfortable. Thankfully, modern science gives us more than herbs and cocoa leaves to aid in our comfort at the dentist. Today, it’s safely used on millions of people in dental offices every year.

Different sedation techniques–along with seeing a dentist you trust–will help you feel confident and peaceful about your dental experience. The different medications used in sedation dentistry can help control pain, help you relax, and even help you sleep through an entire procedure.

Different Types of Sedation in Dentistry

Sedation is different than anesthesia. Local anesthesia numbs a specific area of your body by blocking nerves, and general anesthesia puts you into a deep sleep where your heart and breathing need assistance. Sedation simply calms you down and helps you relax, putting you in a waking dream-like state.

You’ll be very sleepy, but fully conscious and able to respond to the dentist. You likely won’t have any memory of the treatment, or it may be blurry, but you also won’t need medical support to breathe.

Today, sedative medications are known as benzodiazepines. They are safe, fast-acting, and some are better for certain situations than others. The most common sedatives in dentistry are midazolam (Versed), diazepam  (Valium), and lorazepam (Ativan). Based on your health history and the treatment needed, Parrish dentist Dr. Richard Schnur will select the best sedative for you.

These are the most common ways dentists administer sedation:

  • Oral Conscious Sedation – a prescription sedative you take before your appointment
  • Nitrous Oxide Sedation – inhaled nitrous and oxygen through a face mask
  • IV Sedation – administered intravenously

Depending on your individual preferences and the treatment needed, we will recommend one or a combination of sedation methods.

Who Needs Sedation?

People routinely receive sedation for getting their wisdom teeth removed and other more complicated dental treatments and oral surgeries. Some people also get dental sedation if they are extremely nervous about their appointment, or if they have a specific health need or disability that requires it.

If you need sedation for an upcoming dental appointment, be sure to have a ride arranged because you shouldn’t drive yourself home. You should also ask your dentist for instructions on eating and what other medication you’re allowed to take on the day of the procedure. You’ll be most comfortable if you don’t wear contact lenses or tight-fitting clothing.

What to Ask Your Dentist About Sedation

Millions of people every year safely receive sedation at a dental office. Dentists are licensed doctors trained to take the best care of you. Still, sedatives may have side effects or may not be right for everyone. Before you get sedated, talk to your dentist about:

  • If the type of procedure you’re having requires sedation
  • How healthy you are overall; physically and mentally
  • If you have any known allergies
  • If you’re taking any medications
  • Any specific fears or concerns

If you have questions about sedation dentistry, or if you’re looking for a very friendly and peaceful place to take care of your oral health, Florida Smile Design is here for you. Make an appointment today for any and all of your dental needs!

The content of this blog is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of qualified health providers with questions you may have regarding medical conditions.

The post Is Sedation Dentistry Safe? appeared first on Florida Smile Design.



from Florida Smile Design https://www.floridasmiledesign.com/blog/is-sedation-dentistry-safe/
Florida Smile Design
8312 Us Hwy 301 N, Suite 101
Parrish, FL 34219
(941) 782-9158

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Help! My Child is Terrified of the Dentist

Image
If you’re the parent of a young child, you know their brains are similar to sponges that soak up everything around them—especially in their first five years, which neuroscientists say is when they’ll do the most learning and developing in their entire life. At this formative time, your child may amaze you with what they notice: your facial expressions, the different tones of your voice, and your habits. If your habits include regular dental visits and an excellent oral hygiene routine, they’ll notice and want to emulate you. If you happen to feel anxious about your dental visits, or you groan when you’ve got to floss and brush, they may synchronize and feel your dread. This could lead to dental fears that stick with them for years—potentially a lifetime! Kids Can Be Courageous If you’re feeling guilty right now, go ahead and put that away as it won’t serve you or your little one. Everyone has some room for improvement, and Coastal Pediatric Dentistry® is here to help show you an...
Read more

Going for the Gold?

Image
On the left is the older allow, on the right the new one that my lab has chosen to use The cost of a penny weight of pure gold is currently $79.53. The cost of a penny weight of pure palladium is $130.6. It used to be that palladium was added instead of gold to the precious metals often used for pfms, but now laboratories are finding that palladium is no longer affordable. The lab that I am using has just changed the formulation of the metal it's using to one that has more gold than palladium. I really do not mind, but metals with more gold are softer and often easier for a dentist to accidentally polish off delicate margins. It is important when polishing "higher gold" formulations to exert less hand pressure when performing the final polishing of the crown's margins. Other wise there should be no problem with this change. Traditionally labs have chosen alloys with higher gold percentages for optimal esthetics, since alloys with higher concentrations of ...
Read more

Lemon Juice – The Good, the Bad, & the Sour

Image
In a great tale of opposites, lemon juice can be both acidic and basic, or alkaline. Read on to find out why people are talking about this, and what it means for your oral and overall health . What is pH and why does it matter? Drinking lemon juice (usually diluted in a glass of water or added to a cup of tea) is a beloved health tonic among fans of natural medicine. Potential benefits include lower cholesterol, lower inflammation in the body, and increased metabolism and energy. Lemon also contains high levels of antioxidants and vitamin C that boost your immune system. On a scale from 0-14, a pH of 7 is neutral (pure water) while numbers below 7 are acidic (unhealthy), and above 7 are basic or alkaline (healthy). Believers in holistic health blame many ailments on the body’s pH being too low or too acidic. Increasing your body’s pH is called “alkalizing.” Lemon juice in its natural state is acidic with a pH of about 2, but once metabolized it actually becomes alkaline with a pH ...
Read more