Stay Calm: There's No Reason To Fear Dental Sedation

You have a phobia about getting dental work done, so you're considering some form of sedation dentistry. However, you also have a phobia about drugs that cause sedation. You like to feel that you're in control of situations, and being sedated in a dental chair does not sound like a good way to have control. Fortunately, dental sedation doesn't involve being unconscious, seeing things that aren't there, or not being able to communicate with the dentist if you need to. Read on and learn more about what to expect.

TYPES OF SEDATION DENTISTRY

Dentists use three main forms of sedation for their patients. 

Nitrous oxide—commonly called laughing gas—is administered through a nose mask. It makes you feel calm and unconcerned. You have total control of how much of this substance you breathe in because you can reach up and remove the mask whenever you want to. The effects wear off almost instantly.

Oral sedation involves taking a tranquilizing pill or liquid solution before your appointment. You might do so at home or arrive at the clinic early and take the medication there. As with nitrous oxide, the effects are calming and help relieve any anxiety you have. A primary difference is that you can't make the sedation go away rapidly if you want to. The tranquilizing effect lingers for some time.

Intravenous (IV) sedation is provided directly to your bloodstream through a needle at the clinic during your procedure. This leads to a deeper relaxation than you get with the other techniques. Interestingly, even though you remain totally aware of what's going on, you may not have much memory of the procedure afterward. 

WHAT ABOUT LACK OF CONTROL?

If you truly fear not having any control at the dental clinic, you may want to choose nitrous oxide, since you can manage your intake of the gas second by second. Keep in mind, however, that the other two techniques normally don't make people go to sleep. You could fall asleep if you tend to do so very easily or if you're sleep-deprived. 

Consider that by deciding to have sedation dentistry, you actually are taking control. Rather than delaying a necessary or an elective but desired procedure because you're afraid, you're deciding to take charge and do what is necessary to take this step. 

TALK WITH YOUR DENTIST

Feel free to contact your dentist, such as at Panther Hollow Dental Lodge, before your appointment and discuss the various methods of sedation dentistry. You may even be able to try out laughing gas at the clinic ahead of time; that will likely ease your mind about this particular substance. Remember that you're the one making decisions here. Sedation dentistry is just a strategy you can use to make dental procedures easier on yourself.