Many people experience dental problems at some point throughout their lives. Statistics show that nearly 20% of all adults throughout the United States are living with one or more untreated cavities. If you’re needing dental work, it will likely require that you be sedated during these procedures. However, it’s important to know that there are several types of sedation dentistry. Many people find it beneficial to know what to expect while being sedated. With that in mind, here is what to expect during three types of dental sedation.
- Laughing Gas
This is commonly referred to as minimal sedation. While you might imagine only visiting a sedation dentist to receive anesthesia, this isn’t always the case. Sedation can be as mild as laughing gas, something many patients prefer to have during procedures. Laughing gas can be administered for a wide variety of reasons. Patients with extreme dental anxiety might prefer to have this gas during each visit. Generally, laughing gas will make you feel at ease while slightly distorting sounds. - Oral Sedatives
Oral sedatives are often given to patients before visiting the dentist. A patient will take a pill about an hour before their dental procedure. This pill is usually made to make a patient feel extremely relaxed and might cause drowsiness. Oral sedatives are beneficial for patients receiving extensive types of dental work. In addition, an oral sedative also works well for those with dental anxiety. It’s common for a patient to request this type of sedative while having dental implants or similar procedures performed. Statistics show that nearly 500,000 patients receive dental implants per year. - IV Sedation
In other cases, a patient will need deeper types of sedation. This could be for more extensive procedures. In order to receive this type of sedation, patients will receive a solution administered intravenously. A dental professional can adjust the level of sedative entering your bloodstream. Patients needing multiple dental implants might require deeper sedation. During these situations, dentists administer higher levels of sedative to achieve the desired effect.
In closing, there are several types of sedation that dental patients might receive. One study from 2015 found that people typically wait three years to visit the dentist. During this time, there are many types of dental problems that might need fixing. If you’ve recently found out that you need to visit a sedation dentist, it’s understandable to feel nervous. Dental sedation helps to ensure that patients feel no pain and remain relaxed during various procedures.