Many patients aren’t too keen on being fully conscious during dental procedures, which is why sedation dentistry can be a valuable solution. So Dr. Charvet or Dr. Charvet Jr will walk you through the benefits of sedation dentistry and how it can help make your dental experience more comfortable and stress-free.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
At Charvet Dental Center, we can use several different methods for sedation dentistry, depending on the level of sedation we’re trying to achieve. Since people’s bodies process these treatments differently, sedation dentistry is not necessarily a one-size-fits-all treatment. We primarily use it to help patients who experience dental anxiety or cannot stay still for extended periods.
Types of Sedation
Let’s review a few of the main methods we offer for sedation dentistry at Charvet Dental Center! Our team will discuss this with you ahead of your procedure to determine which one is most suitable for your situation.
- Oral Sedation: For this method, the patient takes a prescribed pill prior to their appointment. This usually results in some drowsiness, which can calm them down during their procedure.
- Nitrous Oxide: Also called laughing gas, this can actually be employed for both kids and adults at different dosages. We can use this in combination with a localized numbing medication. This can be an ideal option since it wears off after treatment is done, and doesn’t really require further adjustment from there. For example, patients can drive home safely after the procedure is done.
- IV Sedation: By contrast, IV sedation is more intensive in terms of its effects. We consider it total sedation, which puts the patient to sleep during their procedure. We can closely monitor how much anesthesia is being administered throughout. IV sedation can be especially effective in more complex cases or for those receiving oral surgery. With this method, a friend or family member will need to take you home afterward.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
So, what are some of the big benefits of using sedation in our practice? There might be more than you’d initially expect!
- Reduced Fear: This is the main benefit for most patients, and we want to expand a bit more on it. Dental anxiety and phobias are completely real and valid—we see evidence of them daily. We’re happy to have these sedation options to ease these symptoms effectively.
- Increased Cooperation: Procedures can have a better outcome when sedation is involved since it helps the patient cooperate and remain more still. This can lead to better precision and time effectiveness.
- Pain Management: Potential pain is often a source of worry. Although the procedure itself isn’t terribly painful, sedation helps you manage discomfort during and after, making for a much more pleasant experience overall.
- Control Over Gag Reflex: The gag reflex can actually be a huge barrier for many patients when they’re fully awake or aware during their procedure. It’s a natural reflex, of course, but sedation helps suppress it while we’re working.
- Accessibility for Special Needs: Charvet Dental Center is committed to providing exceptional dental care for every person who comes into our office. Sedation is a wonderful tool for helping special needs patients receive necessary treatment.
- Cost-Effective: Technically speaking, sedation dentistry can be cost-effective because it allows multiple procedures in a single visit.
FAQs About Sedation Dentistry
Finally, we’d like to review some frequently asked questions about this approach. For those who have never undergone sedation in a dental office, it’s understandable to have questions about it! Our team is always happy to answer any queries you may have, but here are a few common ones:
Q: Can I eat or drink before my appointment?
This depends on the type of sedation. For nitrous oxide, a light meal is fine beforehand. For deeper sedation, we might suggest you fast for a few hours prior. We’ll be thorough in our preparation instructions before your visit.
Q: Does sedation dentistry work for all dental procedures?
It does for most of them! This can be anything from your routine cleanings to complex procedures like root canals or wisdom teeth extractions. Again, this will be discussed well before any actual dental work.
Q: Is sedation dentistry safe?
Yes, in an office full of professionals like ours. We take various factors into consideration, like your medical history and vital signs, to make sure you’re completely safe. There will be a safe option for the majority of our patients.
Safe and Sound
If you had your doubts about sedation dentistry before, hopefully, this blog has helped address some of them! It’s a very normal part of what we do, and so is educating patients about it. We hope to see you soon at our Metairie office!