Dental Sedation

01/07/2022

Some dental procedures are more invasive and painful than others. In these cases, dental sedation is often used to relax the patient and provide a level of comfort they would otherwise not experience. During some extremely invasive procedures, dental sedation is used to remove all feeling from the mouth so that the patient is unable to feel anything at all. In some cases, general anesthesia is used and during these instances the patient will be asleep for the duration of the procedure. 

Types Of Dental Sedation 

There are several varieties of dental sedation which are used in everyday practice. They are listed below: 

Inhaled Minimal Sedation 

The patient breathes in nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oxygen through a mask placed over their mouth and nose. The dentist controls the amount of gas which is inhaled and the effects are relatively short-lived: patients who undergo inhaled minimal sedation can drive themselves home after a procedure. 

Oral Sedation 

Oral sedation involves taking a pill similar in its effect to Valium about an hour before the procedure starts. The pill, Halicon, will make you drowsy but you will still be awake. Smaller doses result in minimal sedation, while larger doses produce moderate sedation. Some people who undergo moderate sedation become so groggy they fall asleep, however, they are usually able to be awakened with a gentle shake. Oral sedation is the most common form of sedation associated with dental practice. 

IV Sedation 

A drug is injected via an IV drip into the arm. This produces a moderate sedation and works far more quickly than oral sedation. Furthermore, the dentist is able to control the amount of the drug in your system throughout the procedure. 

Deep Sedation & General Anesthesia 

Medications are given which will make you entirely unconscious or very close to it. Patients who undergo deep sedation or general anesthesia cannot be awakened until the medication wears off or a counteracting drug is given. 

Local Anesthesia 

Regardless of the type of sedation they are given, dental patients also often have a local anesthetic applied to the areas of the mouth undergoing treatment. This numbs the mouth and removes any pain felt during an operation.  

Who Is Given Dental Sedation? 

There are a select number of reasons why a patient would be given a sedative when visiting the dentist. These mostly stem from anxiety felt when attending a dental appointment. Sedation dentistry is appropriate for people who: 

  • Have a low pain threshold 
  • Can’t sit still in the dentist’s chair 
  • Have very sensitive teeth 
  • Have a bad gag reflex 
  • Need a large amount of dental work completed 

Children who are anxious about attending a dental appointment can also be given sedation. This is usually in the form of inhaled minimal sedation; with a dose that corresponds to the child’s weight and height. 

Are Campsie Laser Dental Dentists Qualified To Give Sedation? 

Most dentists can administer minimal sedation (such as nitrous oxide or pills). An increasing number of dentists can give moderate sedation. However, only a small percentage of dentists who have completed the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) program in deep sedation and general anesthesia can use these more complex techniques. At Campsie Laser Dental we understand the risks of dental sedation and are trained and qualified to use all varieties of sedation. If you think you need sedation for your dental procedure, give us a call to chat to our friendly reception team about your needs.