How Sedation Dentistry Can Improve Your Dental Experience

Having anxiety about an upcoming dental visit is completely normal. Many patients struggle with the fear of dentists, worries of discomfort, and concerns about pain. In fact, more than 10% of Americans experience extreme dental anxiety before going to the clinic, and over a third of them admit to being somewhat afraid. 

Sometimes, patients need a little extra help to feel comfortable during their dental visits. That’s where sedation dentistry comes into play.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry refers to any dental work done under the influence of sedative drugs designed to make you feel more relaxed during treatment. For many patients, these are a solution to dental anxiety and pain, making the entire process much more comfortable. 

For example, suppose your dentist tells you that you need a root canal procedure. Sedation dentistry is an option for helping make this process easier by reducing your level of consciousness throughout the procedure.

Considerations

IV sedation and oral conscious sedation are the methods used at Durango Dental to sedate dental patients. IV sedation involves injecting medication into the bloodstream directly, and oral conscious sedation involves taking medication by mouth before the procedure. 

While sedation dentistry is generally safe, side effects such as disorientation, dizziness, headaches, dry mouth, and drowsiness can occur.

Durango Dental prioritizes patient health, safety, and comfort in every procedure that we conduct, and we are dedicated to providing a high standard of care for our patients.

IV Sedation

We use both IV and oral sedation at Durango Dental. Our selection between the two depends on both the procedure and the patient. 

In IV sedation, medication is delivered via the bloodstream and starts working almost immediately, allowing dental work to begin quickly after medication delivery. Sedation levels can be adjusted during procedures.

We begin by placing an IV line and then following a patient’s vital signs as the drip takes effect. We combine IV sedation with local anesthesia to reduce discomfort further and to better manage any pain, if necessary. 

This method is used to provide patients with a safe, monitored way to receive the benefits of sedation dentistry. Some amnesia can occur with IV sedation, but patients may see this as a benefit. 

IV sedation may also offer a financial perk, as multiple treatments may be conducted under sedation dentistry during in a single visit, reducing the number of appointments needed and thereby consolidating costs. You may consult with our professional staff in helping determine if such an approach is right for you.

Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral conscious sedation is an approach to sedation dentistry where patients take medications by mouth. With most oral sedatives, patients stay awake but lose some degree of consciousness. 

Oral sedation medication in pill or liquid form takes around an hour to work. One example of an oral conscious sedation pill is Halcion (triazolam), which is a benzodiazepine that suppresses the central nervous system, reducing anxiety and making patients feel drowsy and dream-like while still being aware of some of their surroundings. Because patients may feel drowsy after taking Halcion, it is important to have someone else to drive them home from the dental clinic. 

The Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

The benefits of sedation dentistry are substantial and can lead to a profound sense of relaxation, anxiety relief, and pain reduction. IV and oral sedatives are to help patients feel reduced tension and to be far less likely to experience panic. 

Sedation dentistry also removes pain associations from conscious thoughts. Benefits include not reacting to the sounds and sensations of dental tools, making it less likely that patients will experience distress. Procedures like root canals and extractions are virtually painless, if patients are even aware of them. 

Furthermore, sedation can help reduce gag reflexes (which can occur when taking molds or placing tools inside the mouth). This makes the process easier for both the patient and the dentist, allowing treatment to proceed more efficiently. We want your visit to go as smoothly as possible, and sedation dentistry is a great way to help accomplish that.

Is Sedation Dentistry Right for You?

Sedation dentistry can benefit many people with anxiety about dental treatments. Top beneficiaries include: 

  • Those who struggle with extreme dental anxiety (at least 10% of the population)

  • Those with unmanageable gag reflexes

  • Those undergoing otherwise painful procedures (particularly tooth extractions and wisdom tooth removal)

Sedation dentistry can also be useful for patients going through lengthy procedures, like implant arch replacements. Patients who don’t feel anxiety and who can receive such procedures without medications may find the dental treatment more enjoyable and efficient with sedation. 

Expert Dentistry from Durango Dental

Our staff is committed to providing excellent dental care through a range of services. In addition to regular examinations and cleanings, our offerings include cosmetic dentistry, gum disease treatments, and wisdom teeth extractions. Our dental care also includes crowns, composite fillings, dental implants, dentures, and more.

We value our patients’ dental experience and strive to provide comfortable care, including the benefits of sedation dentistry.

Learn More About Our Sedation Dentistry Services

We want to help make your dental experience as comfortable as possible. Sedation dentistry is a tremendous innovation and can be a helpful way for patients to receive quality dental care.

For more information about sedation dentistry, contact Durango Dental.