What Is Sedation Dentistry?

There is no shortage of people who associate a trip to the dentist with some level of anxiety and fear. As of about nine years ago, this represented an estimated 80% of the American population! There’s a strong statistical chance that we all fall somewhere on this spectrum. 

You may wish you could simply be put to sleep every time you climb into a dentist’s chair, and you cannot understand how anyone could feel any differently. If so, sedation dentistry—also known as “dental sedation” and “sleep dentistry”— is for you!

Sedation dentistry’s goal is to provide nervous or fearful patients with a sense of calm during a dental procedure. If this sounds enticing to you, let’s put your fears to rest further and discuss everything anyone would want to know about sedation dentistry.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Dental anxiety is no joke. Often, patients who are anxious about going to the dentist opt to simply not go at all. Unfortunately, this puts these individuals at greater risk of plaque and tartar buildup, having minor cavities go untreated, and, ultimately, serious oral health issues like gum disease and tooth decay. Sedation dentistry provides these individuals with comfort and peace of mind.

Sedation dentistry uses different sedative drugs to help reduce the mental stress and physical pain that patients experience during dental procedures. Based on the invasiveness and complexity of the procedure being performed and the severity of a patient’s anxiety, a dentist will typically choose to use some combination of nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and intravenous (IV) sedation.

How Does Dental Sedation Work?

Each dental procedure, like the individual undergoing it, is unique in its own way. In the context of dental sedation, the type of treatment recommended will differ depending on individual circumstances. 

The best way to get off on the right foot with sedation dentistry is to have a conversation with your dentist about your dental history and the extent of your anxiety. Understanding these factors allows your dentist and their team to customize the stress-reduction techniques to your needs. This may involve laughing gas (nitrous oxide) for minor treatments like dental fillings or cleanings, and more potent options like IV or oral sedation for more complex procedures.

What Are the Different Types of Dental Sedation?

• Nitrous oxide (Laughing gas) — One of the most common conscious sedation methods. Nitrous oxide provides a relaxed and sometimes slightly “loopy” tingly feeling. Nitrous oxide is popular for minor procedures for several reasons, namely that it has few (though not “no”) side effects and no known allergic reactions, and its effects wear off shortly after use.
• Oral sedation — Oral sedation refers to using prescription medication before a dental procedure. The medication typically used for oral sedation, Halcion®, provides a calming effect similar to that of Xanax®. Oral sedation requires the patient to take a prescribed pill about an hour before their procedure so they’re nicely relaxed by the time their appointment rolls around—and perhaps a bit foggy afterward. 
• Intravenous (IV) sedation – Common for more complex procedures, IV sedation consists of a dentist placing an IV into a patient’s vein to administer sedatives. Since the medication (typically either Midazolam or Diazepam) goes directly into the bloodstream, the results are rapid. However, as sufferers of dental anxiety may also have a fear of needles, some patients require distraction for needle placement or another method of sedation altogether.
• General anesthesia  – General anesthesia is not commonly used in sedation dentistry. It is typically reserved for patients undergoing complex and invasive procedures or experiencing severe anxiety. It ensures complete unconsciousness, allowing the dentist and their team to work comfortably while the patient remains unaware and comfortable.

What The Different Levels of Dental Sedation Feel Like

• Minimal (Anxiolysis) — Under minimal sedation, the patient remains awake and able to breathe on their own but in a highly relaxed state. Moderate sedation can cause some impairment of thinking and coordination but otherwise does not carry major side effects.
• Moderate—Under moderate sedation, a patient can still breathe independently and respond to a dentist’s commands. However, they may slur their speech and come away with only patchy memories of the procedure.
• Deep — Deep sedation implies a state of near-unconsciousness. Patients may need assistance with breathing while under deep sedation, but can still be woken up (not easily, it must be said) if necessary.
• General anesthesia — Patients under general anesthesia are fully unconscious, unable to breathe on their own, and unresponsive to all stimulation.

What’s the Difference Between Sedation and Anesthesia?

Dental sedation and anesthesia are not the same. The goal of dental sedation is patients’ relaxation and calm. Given this, in the absence of extreme circumstances regarding anxiety or pain, there’s no need for patients to be “put under.” Unconscious sedation carries more overall health risks, more significant side effects, and longer recovery times. Conscious sedation, meanwhile, induces a feeling of comfort during a procedure with lower risks and side effects.

Sedation puts patients into a peaceful state of mind; anesthesia, on the other hand, is a far more complex procedure.

Who Is Eligible for Dental Sedation?

Any patient who is not pregnant, suffering from certain underlying conditions (like sleep apnea, bronchitis, and other respiratory conditions), allergic to the sedative in use, or taking certain other medications is eligible. Generally speaking, patients with dental anxiety or low pain thresholds who do not fall into any of these categories can safely request dental sedation.

What Are the Side Effects of Dental Sedation?

Dental sedation can significantly ease the anxiety of patients undergoing various procedures. However, it’s essential to be aware of potential side effects. These possible side effects can vary depending on the type of sedation used:

• Nitrous oxide — Headache, nausea, dizziness, shivers
• Oral sedation — Lightheadedness, a sluggish or “heavy” feeling, drowsiness, dry mouth, foggy memory of the procedure
• IV Sedation — Drowsiness lasting several hours, headache, nausea, vomiting, slowed reflexes, confusion, memory loss
• General anesthesia — Sore throat (from the breathing tube), nausea, vomiting,  confusion upon waking, chills, and shivering

Before undergoing dental sedation, discuss your medical history and preferences with your dentist to ensure the safest and most effective sedation plan. 

Is There a Full Sedation Dentist Near Me in Queen Creek, AZ?

If you’re in Queen Creek and feeling nervous about seeing the dentist or would just like to learn more about sedation dentistry, contact Dr. Ismail Pardazi and the friendly, knowledgeable team here at Desert Creek Dental to schedule an all-important consultation!