Houston Dream Dentistry: How Sedation Makes the Dentist Pleasant

Sedation dentistry brings comfort to a medical setting that is rife with fear.

For decades, people have feared visiting the dentist due to the often uncomfortable nature of certain treatments like fillings, root canals, and surgical procedures.

Thankfully, modern medicine has brought about changes to the dental field, including effective local anesthetics and sedation.

The Difference between Local and General Anesthetics

Local anesthetics specifically target a single, small area. They are often used to numb the area around a single tooth or small group of teeth while the dentist works on them.

These anesthetics don’t affect the general temperament of the patient.

General anesthetics affect your whole body. Usually provided in the form of nitrous oxide gas or an IV solution, general anesthetics leave you feeling calm, relaxed, and without much physical feeling.

Time seems to shrink, making dental procedures that last a couple hours only seem like minutes. Discomfort fades away as your body becomes completely relaxed.

And when it’s all done? Just a few hours later, you’re back to your old self.

Benefits and Risks of Sedation Dentistry in Houston

Sedation dentistry offers many benefits.

Children who are anxious or fidgety become still and calm under the effects of sedation dentistry. This allows the dentist to accomplish a lot more work in a shorter amount of time and without requiring multiple visits if the child is undergoing a large procedure.

Adults who have a fear of the dentist will feel at ease and more prepared for the procedure. It will also seem like the procedure goes by very quickly for them.

What sort of risks are associated with sedation dentistry, though?

The biggest risk with sedation dentistry in Houston is tiredness. Any patient undergoing sedation should have someone bring them to and from their appointment.

After the appointment is over, the patient should not drive or operate any dangerous machinery for 24 hours to ensure they fully recovered.

During the use of sedation dentistry, there is very little risk at all, for adults and children alike.

Houston dentists only give the lowest dosage necessary for the patient to feel relaxed and free of discomfort.

In most cases, the patient will still be fully awake during a procedure. This is necessary so the dentist can give instructions or ask questions.

The amount of sedation being used is continuously monitored and adjusted throughout the procedure.

If heavy sedation is needed, such as during a long or invasive surgery, the patient will only just be beyond the cusp of unconsciousness. It never takes more than a gentle nudge to awaken them.

Dentists who qualify for the use of sedation dentistry have undergone a strict certification method to ensure they know proper dosages and how to effectively monitor the amount of sedation being administered.

Pediatric dentists undergo even stricter guidelines for certification, so you know your children are in good hands.

When is Sedation Dentistry Used?

Sedation dentistry can be used for just about any procedure.

As we mentioned, the dosage is constantly regulated, so for procedures where the patient needs to be awake, they can be. All the while, they will still feel calm and relaxed.

Most commonly, sedation dentistry is used for more invasive procedures such as cavity filling, root canals, scaling and planing, and surgery. However, it can be used for non-invasive procedures if the patient is particularly anxious.