Sedation dentistry

For people with dental phobias, Sedation dentistry can be used to help create a relaxing treatment free from anxiety. Sedation dentistry allows those who are too afraid to seek the dental care they need to undergo any number of dental procedures without any problems at all. Research shows that around 30% of the population have some degree of fear associated with the dentist. This common phobia often causes sufferers to actively avoid going to the dentist even when they experience serious dental problems. It can also lead to a lack of oral hygiene, increasing sufferers vulnerability to dental problems. Sedation dentistry has benefits even to those who don't have dental phobias. Some patients with severe gag reflexes often find having their mouth treated difficult and sedation can be used to relax them throughout the procedure. Similarly, patients with certain medical conditions such as Cerebral Palsy or Parkinsons disease can often have trouble controlling their body so the physical relaxation sedation brings about can often help.

The Procedure

The sedation procedure can be used to put patients in a calm and relaxed state by using sedative drugs. Drugs such as tranquilisers, depressants or other anti-anxiety medicines can be applies in a number of different ways. Traditionally sedatives were applied intravenously or injected into the patients arm. However due to modern innovations, sedation dentistry is now safer and more effective than ever before. Alternatives to injected or intravenous sedation include nitrous oxide and intravenous approaches which don't require a needle. One of the most commonly used types of modern techniques is oral sedation. This simple technique requires no needles and makes patients so comfortable that many feel like they slept throughout the entire procedure. Oral sedation actually retains patients consciousness to help maintain safety and cooperation throughout their dental work. Sedation isn't the same as anaesthetic and in many cases a local anaesthetic will need to be applied to the mouth alongside sedation. Local anaesthetic helps to block the pain impulses from the problem area and will usually be applied once you have been sedated.

Sedation dentistry has many benefits. Patients often feel as if their dental surgery took only a couple of minutes when in reality it may have taken hours. This makes especially favourable to use when extensive procedures such as smile makeovers and other rebuilding work. For patients who are reluctant to undergo cosmetic procedures due to their fears about dental procedures, sedation dentistry offers a relaxed and comfortable treatment. Even for those who don't have a fear of the dentist, sedation dentistry can often be used to help patients having difficult or painful procedures such as gum surgery. Sedation is also preferable to surgery performed under general anaesthetics as the side effects can often remain for several hours afterwards.