18 Jan Nervous? Let’s Talk.
“Sedation Dentistry” is the new wave in dental care and we receive more questions about what it means than any other procedure. Good news, going to the dentist does not have to cause you anxiety!
Patients and providers have always sought new means to have a relaxing experience during their time at the office and sedation gives us the best way to provide a safe, stress-free, and more importantly, pain-free environment. Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during a wide variety of procedures.
At Bluegrass Oral Health, we have varying types and levels of sedation. These have different effects and different durations depending on how comfortable the patient feels or what their desire is during the procedure. For example, if you just want the edge taken off “laughing gas” may be a good fit. If you want to be in a “deep” sleep and not remember anything from your procedure, IV sedation may be the best option for you.
Inhalation sedation (nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas”) is the most common form of sedation in a dental practice. The gas is inhaled through the patient’s nose throughout treatment and provides an immediate form of relaxation. The patient is completely conscious and aware of the ongoing dental treatment. After the treatment, the patient is fine to return to normal daily activities since the gas leaves as soon as it is turned off. The patient does not need to be accompanied by a driver after the procedure and there are no side effects after about five minutes. One of the great attributes of laughing gas is anyone can use it with the exception of pregnant women.
Oral sedation involves the patient taking two pills that help them relax prior to treatment. The medication is in the same family as Valium or Xanax. Since the patient is taking the medication orally, the effects of the drug will take longer (roughly 30 to 60 minutes) to begin working. Many patients will fall asleep during the procedure or may just be very relaxed. The effects can vary patient to patient. Again, there are few contraindications to this form of sedation, but after treatment, the patient must have a driver present to help them home.
IV sedation is the strongest form of sedation and involves the patient receiving medication through an intravenous line.. The effects of the medications are evident in a matter of minutes. IV sedation is the most effective form of sedation due to its immediate onset and the control the provider has during the treatment. This option eliminates your anxiety and is a good choice if you have a bad gag reflex. You’ll be so relaxed that you may be unaware of what’s going on around you, but still able to respond to verbal cues from the dentist. Patients remember little to nothing of their appointment by the next day. After the treatment, the patient must have a driver present to escort them due to the medication-prolonged side effects.
BGOHC has had tremendous positive feedback in the use of in-office sedation. Whether you just want to relax during your lunchtime appointment or get all of those fillings done at once or want to essentially be “asleep” when getting teeth pulled, there are options for you. GIve us a call at 270-781-6161 and talk to one of our doctors about the best choice for you.