What is sedation dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is the use of medication to help patients relax during dental procedures, such as putting in dental implants.
While sometimes it is referred to as sleep dentistry, patients do not actually ‘fall asleep’. Unless, of course, general anaesthesia is used.
Sedation dentistry generally provides an easier and more relaxing experience for patients, but the use and level of sedation range from patient to patient–depending on their needs and the type of dental work being performed.
How does it work?
There are two different methods used in sedation dentistry. The first is the use of oral sedation and the second is the use of intravenous (IV) sedation.
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Oral Sedation
This medication, as the name suggests, is taken by mouth. It is suitable for patients undergoing shorter procedures or experiencing mild to moderate levels of anxiety.
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Intravenous Sedation
Intravenous sedation is administered directly into the veins of the patient. For patients undergoing longer or more complex procedures, during which comfort and calmness are critical, or for those patients experiencing severe levels of anxiety, intravenous sedation is more effective.
The Process of Sedation Dentistry
All patients at Keys Dental undergo a pre-procedure consultation and health assessment.
During this session, we’ll discuss the different sedation options with you, understand your feelings and preferences, and select the best method with you.
Once we know whether we’ll be opting for oral or intravenous sedation, we will walk you through what you can expect on the day of the procedure and how the sedation method will work.
When sedated, our patients are monitored at all times to ensure their health and well-being. Once the dental treatment has been completed, we’ll outline the post-procedure care and recovery plan to help you feel better as soon as possible.
Find out more about sedation dentistry and read our answers to frequently asked questions here.
When and why would sedation dentistry be needed?
Sedation dentistry is not one of the more commonly known and recognised services provided by dentists.
Nevertheless, it can be an important and necessary practice in certain dental situations.
When would sedation dentistry be required?
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Severe anxiety and phobia
Patients suffering debilitating anxiety related to or phobia of the dentist may avoid getting much needed dental work done. Sleep dentistry offers a manageable path towards ensuring everyone receives the oral health treatment they need.
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Low pain threshold or sensitive nerves
Under sedation, patients experience significantly less pain during dental treatments. If a patient has a low pain threshold that prevents required dental work from being done or the actual procedure is around sensitive oral nerves, sedation dentistry may be required.
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Significant or multiple treatments
When a patient requires an extensive number of dental procedures performed in one visit or multiple treatments, sedation dentistry can provide the ability to remain comfortable and relaxed throughout the extended period.
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Controlling involuntary movements
Some patients may find it difficult to control their movements for a long period of time. Or there might be a strong gag reflex that is triggered during the procedure. In both situations, sedation dentistry makes getting the required oral work done easier.
Sedation dentistry offers patients who might otherwise avoid necessary dental care the opportunity to ensure their oral health in a manageable, relaxed and comfortable way.
What are the benefits and risks?
Sedation dentistry offers several invaluable benefits:
- Effectively reducing levels of anxiety and fear.
- Increasing patient comfort during procedures
- Allowing for a more relaxed experience
- Enabling multiple or extensive treatments in one visit
- Allowing for improved dental health outcomes through comprehensive treatment
- Overall improved my experience at the dentist
- Less risk of involuntary movements, including gagging
- Reduction in pain during treatment
However, as with all medical procedures, there are some associated risks.
- Side effects – Potential side effects of sedation medication, oral and intravenous, can include drowsiness and nausea.
- Complications – While rare, there is a risk of complications for patients with certain medical conditions.
- Allergic Reaction – Patients who are allergic to the medication may experience an allergic reaction.
Your Keys Dental dentist will ensure you understand all of the potential risks before we consider administering any sedation medication.
For whom is sedation dentistry appropriate for?
The ideal candidates for sedation dentistry–or in other words the ones who may benefit the most from being sedated during dental treatment–can include:
- Children with an extreme fear of the dentist
- Adults with high levels of anxiety
- Patients requiring complicated, extensive or multiple dental treatments
- Patients with past traumatic dental experiences
- Children or adults with special needs
- Patients requiring assistance to sit still for significant periods of time
Find out more – speak to our sleep dentist and sedation experts today
Sedation dentistry can be enormously helpful for many patients. From reducing anxiety to allowing for complicated treatments to be carried out seamlessly, there are many benefits to sleep dentistry.
However, not every patient will be suitable for either oral or intravenous sedation, or both. That’s why we recommend getting in touch with our sleep dentist specialist.
We can provide a one-on-one consultation to ensure we understand your oral health needs and you can understand the best sedation dentistry option for you. Call us now on (08) 9407 7088 to find out more
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