Going to the dentist can be scary for many people, and no one wants to feel pain when they're having their teeth worked on. Today's modern dentist office offers several different options for sedation that can help the patient relax and avoid feeling anxious. Before you go to your next dental procedure, read on to find out more about the different options that may be available to you so that you'll be able to determine which one will be right for your needs.
Oral sedation refers to taking pills that will help reduce anxiety. The type of pill your dentist offers may vary, but most commonly the drug Diazepam (or Valium) is give to patients. This drug is usually given to the patient either the night before oral surgery or about thirty minutes beforehand. It will depend on the severity of your anxiety as well as your own personal preference. Keep in mind that this type of sedative does not relieve pain, so an anesthetic will still need to be applied, but it can help calm your nerves.
Sedation Through IV
If you do not want to take a pill, you may be offered the option of intravenous or IV sedatives. This method will be performed shortly before the oral surgery begins and is administered through the veins. It usually works fairly quickly and can relieve your anxiety well. Just like the oral method, IV sedation does not eliminate pain, so the dentist will still need to apply traditional anesthetics.
Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is one of the oldest forms of sedation used in dentistry. Your dentist will place a mask over your face and ask you to breathe in slowly. A gas is released and as you breathe it in, you will begin to feel much more relaxed. You will remain awake throughout the procedure but will definitely feel less anxious. This method is still a very popular one and has shown to be very effective in helping calm patients' nerves.
General Anesthesia Procedures
For patients who really want to be relived of anxiety, a general anesthesia can be applied. This method will make you completely unaware of what is happening around you, and essentially you will be asleep for the entire procedure. People who are extremely anxious or afraid of oral surgery often choose this method so that they do not know what is happening throughout the process. You will basically be unconscious, so no extra anesthesia will be applied during the procedure. Consider all of these options before your next trip to the dentist so you can determine which method will be best for you and your personal level of anxiety.Share