It’s a common fact that normal visits to the dentist, no matter how often one goes, can be stressful. The buzz of the drill the sensations in one's mouth and the smell of chemicals can be enough to cause sensitive patients to panic even before sitting in that chair. Dental anxiety prohibits phobic people from seeking and then getting the regular dental care that addresses problems when they are small. Some avoid visits to dental clinics until the eventual pain from cavities, infections in their mouths force them fearfully through the front door. However, as scary as this sounds, the use of sedation in a dental office can provide patients the level of relaxation and comfort they need to achieve a brighter and healthier set of teeth.

What is Dental Sedation?

Breathing Laughing Gas – the patient breathes a specific mix of nitrous oxide and pure oxygen. The gasses cause a feeling of relaxation and calmness, not giddiness as the name suggests. Dr. Ebner controls the percentage of gas used during the procedure based on stress levels. Laughing gas wears off quickly after itis turned off. When the patient is fully recovered, they can drive themself home. Oral sedation – Dr. Ebner evaluates the patient based on a strict pre-sedation evaluation and prescribes a pill that is swallowed one hour before the procedure. It allows the patient to relax and reduces anxiety. Mild sedation does not put the patient to sleep, but in quantities just right, reduces stress and anxiety during the procedure.IV moderate sedation – The sedative drugs are given through a vein in this method. This is not a sedation method we offer in-office at this time. IV sedation allows the dentist to continually adjust the sedation levels to the appropriate amount.Deep sedation and general anesthesia – An anesthesiologist is required for deep sedation because the patient is unconscious. This type of sedation is possible in our office but the cost to the patient is much higher.

Types of Sedation Used in Dentistry?

Though the ways sedation is used differ according to the procedures and other factors, the most common methods are listed below;

Breathing Laughing Gas – the patient breathes a specific mix of nitrous oxide and pure oxygen. The gasses cause a feeling of relaxation and calmness, not giddiness as the name suggests. Dr. Ebner controls the percentage of gas used during the procedure based on stress levels. Laughing gas wears off quickly after itis turned off. When the patient is fully recovered, they can drive themself home.

Oral sedation – Dr. Ebner evaluates the patient based on a strict pre-sedation evaluation and prescribes a pill that is swallowed one hour before the procedure. It allows the patient to relax and reduces anxiety. Mild sedation does not put the patient to sleep, but in quantities just right, reduces stress and anxiety during the procedure.IV moderate sedation – The sedative drugs are given through a vein in this method. This is not a sedation method we offer in-office at this time. IV sedation allows the dentist to continually adjust the sedation levels to the appropriate amount.

Deep sedation and general anesthesia – An anesthesiologist is required for deep sedation because the patient is unconscious. This type of sedation is possible in our office but the cost to the patient is much higher.

Who Can Be Sedated?

In theory, anyone can be sedated for any procedure. However, the practice is mostly used for people with dental fear and/or anxiety. Sedation would also be appropriate for the following patients;

Patients having a low pain threshold,

Patients with sensitive teeth,

Patients with bad gag reflexes,

Patients who require a long and strenuous amount of dental work.

Children, Teenagers and the elderly.

Patients who have a particular fear of the dentist.

How Safe is Dental Sedation?

Sedation dentistry is quite safe with proper evaluation and preparation. If you are a patient suffering from obesity or obstructive sleep apnea, the risk for problems increases.

The following procedures are also considered best practice;

Make sure your dentist knows about your medical history. (i.e. – past operations, major illnesses, heart problems, medications you are taking, etc).

Review and understand the procedures and aftercare before receiving sedative drugs.

Arrange for a reliable adult to bring you to your appointment and wait to bring you home afterward.

Read and sign all consents for the procedures to be performed before the day of your appointment so questions can be asked and answered while you are fully aware.

What Are The After-Effects?

The effects of sedative medicine require time to wear off according to the type used. Until then, the patient remains drowsy and lethargic and will require a driver to deliver them to their appointment and to take them home. We recommend avoiding alcohol, driving or operating heavy machinery during this time.

Dr. Ebner offers light sedation to all her patients who fall within the safety guidelines. From deep cleaning to extractions, light sedation lets fearful, apprehensive patients overcome the barriers to receiving dental care and having better oral health. 

Our clinic offers light sedation along with putting patients to sleep using an anesthesiologist. Dr. Jennifer Ebner DDS of Biltmore Innovative Dentistry is a licensed dentist in Arizona and has over 20 years of experience in performing dentistry procedures with sedated patients.