The most common types of dental sedation include nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and intravenous (IV) sedation. Sedation dentistry focuses on relieving stress and pain through sedation. The three types of dental sedation are laughing gas, oral sedation, and intravenous sedation. The most common sedatives for this procedure include a rust sedative or an oral one.
Oral sedatives include anti-anxiety medications such as Ativan, Xanax, or Valium. In some cases, your dentist may prescribe them before you have oral surgery. A dentist specializing in sedation offers patients various forms of sedation to make their experience at the dentist's office much more comfortable and pleasant. A common misconception is that sedation is only for oral surgeries and more invasive procedures, but there are actually a lot of different procedures that a sedation dentist performs. Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is commonly used to keep patients relaxed during dental procedures.
This type of sedation is considered mild because the patient will remain conscious during the procedure. Because it is a gas, the effects go away quickly once the patient stops inhaling it. Most dentists can administer sedation, such as nitrous oxide and oral sedation, but only dentists who have completed the Dental Accreditation Commission program can administer deep sedation and general anesthesia. Weaver, DDS, PhD, anesthesiologist dentist; professor emeritus at the Ohio State University School of Dentistry; spokesperson for the American Dental Association. You can feel safe and secure while you're at the dentist's office, knowing that you're receiving quality dental care without stress or pain.
Everyone deserves the chance to have good oral health and a beautiful, healthy smile that they love, and no one should have to avoid dental treatment for fear that the procedure will be painful and invasive. If you think you'll benefit from sedation during your dental visit, ask your dentist if sedation is an option. Many people also enjoy that it requires less invasive dental treatment and provides natural-looking results. It makes sense for a dentist who specializes in sedation to offer minor oral surgical procedures, but many patients are surprised to learn about less invasive treatments that also use sedation. With regular brushing, flossing, and dental checkups, you should be able to keep your teeth for life.
Preventive dentistry is for anyone interested in protecting their dental and general health in the long term. Unlike other types of dental sedation, patients can drive home on their own soon after the effects of the gas wear off. However, only a small percentage of dentists who have completed the Dental Accreditation Commission (CODA) deep sedation and general anesthesia program can use these more complex techniques. Fortunately, many dentists who specialize in sedation also offer cosmetic procedures, such as professional teeth whitening, veneers, teeth straightening treatments, and dental implant placement. It is a branch of dentistry that focuses on treatments that help keep teeth healthy, such as dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, and dental sealants.