Sedation dentistry offers individuals with general anxiety about going to the dentist or fears about a specific dental procedure the opportunity to have a stress free and more comfortable experience. By utilizing safe and controlled sedation techniques before a dental procedure, the patient is eased into a state of complete relaxation. This step eliminates any discomfort, pain, and preoperative anxiety that may be associated with a particular dental visit. With sedation dentistry, patients typically feel more at ease post-operatively as they have little or no memory of the actual moment-to-moment dental procedure.
At the office of Beyer Family Dental, we are committed to creating a comfortable and caring environment for our patients. While we always use a local anesthetic to thoroughly numb the treatment area so that patients do not feel any discomfort, some individuals may feel they need an additional option to reduce their anxiety and have a more relaxed experience. For patients who are apprehensive about dental work or a particular procedure, we offer oral conscious sedation.
Conscious sedation is a medical procedure that uses sedative medications to induce a state of relaxation and reduced awareness while maintaining the patient's ability to respond to verbal commands. As a form of conscious sedation, oral conscious sedation offers the benefit of a relaxed and comfortable dental procedure accompanied by little to no anxiety. With this method, you’ll be given a prescription for an appropriate oral medication before your appointment. When taken at the recommended time before a procedure, this medication allows you to feel entirely relaxed by the time your dental treatment begins. Our office will provide you with exact instructions when to take the medication and what to expect. With oral sedation, you must have an escort on the day of the procedure to drive you to and from our office.
Sedation dentistry offers patients with general anxiety or fears about a dental procedure the opportunity to have a more comfortable and stress-free experience. By utilizing safe and controlled sedation techniques, the patient is eased into a state of complete relaxation before the procedure. This approach eliminates discomfort, pain, and preoperative anxiety, and typically makes patients feel more at ease post-operatively, as they have little or no memory of the actual moment-to-moment procedure.
Local anesthesia involves an injection directly into or close to the area where a procedure is being performed. While it eliminates any sensation of pain in the targeted area, it does not affect your state of mind or level of anxiety. When a patient receives sedation, additional medications to ease anxiety and promote relaxation are employed in advance of local anesthesia. In this way, both the stress and discomfort associated with a procedure are eliminated. Sedation can be administered in a variety of forms based upon patient needs and the recommendations of the dentist or dental anesthesiologist.
Choosing the most appropriate method of sedation for a procedure depends on a variety of factors such as a patient's medical history and their level of anxiety. Dental sedation can come in the form of nitrous oxide sedation, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Certain patients receiving comprehensive treatment or undergoing a complex surgical procedure may require general anesthesia in a hospital setting.
Nitrous oxide, or "laughing gas," is a mild sedative, which is inhaled through a small mask over the nose. A standard in dental sedation for decades, the effects of nitrous oxide are almost immediate and wear off quickly once your procedure is completed.
Oral sedation involves the prescription of an oral medication prior to your appointment. Taken at the recommended time before your visit, oral sedation allows you to feel fully relaxed by the time you're ready for your procedure. With oral sedation, it's necessary to plan on having an escort to and from your dentist's office.
IV Sedation is administered intravenously, or directly into a vein. It is typically indicated when a deeper state of sedation is required. Your dentist will provide you with specific instructions before your visit, and require that you have an escort for the trip home from your appointment.
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