How Does Dental Sedation Work?

How Does Dental Sedation Work?

31st August 2021

Does the thought of visiting a dentist scare you out of your wits?

Do you prefer struggling with toothache but won’t get dental treatment?

Would you rather have ugly, crooked, and unhealthy teeth but not sit in the dentist’s chair?

You are not alone.

And neither are you helpless.

Stop choosing from either of the two evils.

People with fear and anxiety of getting a dental procedure done can now relax (literally!).

With Dental Sedation.

What is dental sedation?

How does it work?

What are the types of sedation?

Who is eligible for it?

Find answers to all your questions right here.

What Is Dental Sedation?

Dental sedation is the use of medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. The process is also called sleep dentistry or sedation dentistry. However, people are awake during the procedure unless they are given general anesthesia.

The different levels of dental sedation include:

How is Dental Sedation Done?

Dental sedation is done via one of the following methods:

1. Inhaled Minimal Sedation
Patients are given the laughing gas (nitrous oxide) mixed with oxygen through a mask. Your dentist will be able to control the amount of sedation you receive and the effects wear off soon. You’d be able to drive yourself back home after the procedure.

2. Oral Sedation
Halcion, a drug from the Valium drug family is usually given an hour prior to the procedure. The dosage can be regulated to produce minimal or moderate sedation effects. In moderate oral sedation, patients usually fall asleep. However, they can be awakened with a slight shake.

3. IV Moderate Sedation
Sedative drugs (discussed later) are injected through the vein. The effect is almost instantaneous. The dentist can control the levels of sedation during the entire procedure.

4. General Anaesthesia or Deep Sedation
Patients are usually in deep sleep during the procedure if given general anesthesia. Consciousness returns only after the effect wears off completely or effect reversing drugs are administered.

If the dental procedure you are undergoing is painful, a local anesthetic is also administered to cause numbness at the site of the procedure

What Are The Drugs Used For Sedation Dentistry?

Other than nitrous oxide and oral pills, some of the drugs that are used for dental sedation include:

• Midazolam – Can be used for both adults and children. It reduced anxiety and causes memory loss while having a minimal effect on the heart and brain. When injected into the vein, it starts working within 2 to 3 minutes. The effect lasts for 60 to 120 minutes.
• Propofol – Another drug administered via injection in the vein, Propofol contains soybean oil, egg lecithin, and glycerol, which can cause pain while injection. The effect starts 90 to 100 seconds after injection. The drug has to be continuously administered during the procedure. It is suitable for both adults and pediatric patients.
• Ketamine – A derivative of phencyclidine, a psychedelic drug, Ketamine relieves pain and reduces memory of the procedure. It starts working within a minute of administration and the effect lasts for 5 to 10 minutes. The drug is suitable for shorter procedures. Its safety or effectiveness for patients under 16 years of age hasn’t been established.
• Dexmedetomidine – The potent sedative drug puts patients in a natural-like sleeping pattern. It has to be continuously administered via the vein during the procedure. Diabetics, those with high blood pressure, and the elderly should be administered the drug with caution.

Depending on the type of procedure, its length, and your health conditions, anxiety levels, and pain tolerance, a suitable drug is used for dental sedation.

Is Dental Sedation Right For Me?

Dental sedation can be given for long, complex procedures as well as simple ones like teeth cleaning.

It is right for those who have a severe fear or anxiety about going to the dentist. Sometimes children, who are scared to visit the dentist or don’t sit still in the chair are also given dental sedation.

Some other situations where sedation is the right choice:

• When the patient has a low pain threshold,
• If the patient is fidgety and cannot sit still in the dentist’s chair.
• In the case of patients with extremely sensitive teeth.
• For patients who have a bad gag reflex.
• When the amount of dental work to be done is more and would take a longer session.

Is Dental Sedation Safe?

Dental sedation is usually a safe procedure if performed by an expert after taking into consideration the patient’s health-related issues if any.

However, there is always a slight risk related with any form of anaesthesia. This usually includes nausea, soreness at the site of injection, or other side effects related to the drug that is being administered.

Also, patients with obstructive sleep apnea or obesity have to be administered dental sedation with more care and after a thorough analysis of the condition.

Dental sedation is also considered safe during pregnancy. But you should inform the doctor about the pregnancy before treatment.

At Natural Smiles, our experts check your health history before prescribing or performing dental sedation. This minimizes the risk of any adverse reaction. Also, during the entire procedure, dentists keep monitoring the vitals (oxygen, heart rate, blood pressure, etc.) to ensure that there is no fluctuation outside of permissible limits. We also keep effect reversal drugs handy.

How Much Does Dental Sedation Cost? Is It Included In Insurance?

The type and complexity of the dental sedation used, decide the cost of the procedure. You can book a free consultation with our experts to get a cost approximation of the dental procedure you want to undergo and the dental sedation charges.

Whether or not it is covered by insurance depends on your specific plan.

Natural Smiles: Healthy And Beautiful Smiles, Now Stress-Free

At Natural Smiles, we offer a wide range of general, cosmetic, and implant dentistry services to help you get a whiter, brighter, and healthier smile.

And now, you don’t have to get anxious about being in the dentist’s chair or worry about the pain. With the right type of dental sedation, you can get your dental procedure done stress-free.

Book a free consultation today.