Dental Dreams: Sedation Dentistry in Houston

Nervous about visiting the dentist? You’re not alone! Many people, especially children are fearful about visiting the dentist.

Most visits are hardly a nail biting experience as conservative dentistry seeks to prevent problems rather than solely treating them. Even still, there are some procedures that some patients will find unpleasant, and for those times, sedation dentistry is the best medicine.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is a mean to calm and relax a patient, as well has help keep them still during a procedure. This increases the patient’s comfort level and decreases their anxiety while simultaneously allowing the dentist to perform a lot of work in a shorter amount of time.

There are varying levels of sedation, from mild to heavy.

Mild sedation usually involves an oral sedative. The patient will remain fully awake, but the oral sedative will put them at ease. This is the most common method used to simply calm a nervous patient down.

Moderate sedation involves using an inhaled gas (nitrous oxide) or an IV to administer the sedative. The patient is still conscious and aware of what’s happening, but for the most part they won’t recall much of what happens during the procedure. The sensation of pain and discomfort is also reduced, making it a preferable option for slightly uncomfortable procedures.

This sedation level and each successive level is continually monitored by your Houston dentist or a certified anesthesiologist.

Heavy sedation brings a patient right to the cusp of consciousness, balancing the thin line between awake and asleep.

At this level, the patient is largely unresponsive and very still, which helps the dentist do a lot of work. These higher levels of sedation also greatly reduce the sensation of pain, making more invasive procedures easier to handle.

Finally, with general anesthesia, the patient is fully unconscious. This level is reserved for the most aggressive treatments where the patient must be completely still for a long period of time.

Is Sedation Dentistry in Houston Safe?

Sedation dentistry is perfectly safe as the dosages of sedation are carefully monitored. Your Houston dentist only wants to provide the minimum level of sedation necessary to complete the procedure and keep the patient comfortable.

There are some side effects with sedation, primarily drowsiness. It is best to have someone drive you to and from your appointment if you are using sedation dentistry.

After a particularly invasive procedure, it’s best to go home and rest, letting the sedation wear off without putting yourself at risk by driving or operating any machinery.

Sedation dentistry for kids is also very safe and effective. The requirements for pediatric sedation dentistry are stricter than those for adult sedation, so kids have an extra watchful eye looking out for them.

Like with adults, the biggest side effect is drowsiness after a procedure.

When Is Sedation Used?

Sedation dentistry can be used for just about any procedure. The lighter forms of sedation like the oral sedative can be used to calm a patient down that is nervous while the heavier dose sedatives reduce pain and discomfort.

Many patients who use sedation dentistry say that the dental procedure feels like a dream and that it seems to go by much faster.

With mild and moderate forms of sedation, the dentist is able to give instructions to the patient such as needing them to turn or open their mouth more.

Heavier forms keep them either just barely conscious or just barely unconscious, but it rarely takes more than a gentle nudge to awaken the patient.