How Does Dental Sedation Work?

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

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

Would you rather have ugly, crooked, unhealthy teeth than sit in the dentist’s chair?

You are not alone.

And neither are you helpless.

Stop choosing between the two evils.

People with fear and anxiety about 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 uses 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:

LEVEL OF CONSCIOUSNESS

• Minimal Sedation: The patient is awake but fully relaxed and cannot feel any pain.
• Moderate Sedation: The patient is slightly unconscious and speaks in an unclear tone or slurs words. They won’t remember the majority of the procedure.
• Deep Sedation: The patient is on the verge of sleep but can be awakened with a slight nudge.
• General Anesthesia: The patient is entirely unconscious.

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 can control the amount of sedation you receive, nd the effects wear off soon. You can drive yourself home after the procedure.

2. Oral Sedation

Halcion, a drug from the Valium drug family, is usually given an hour before the procedure. The dosage can be adjusted to produce minimal or moderate sedation. 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 level of sedation throughout the procedure.

4. General Anesthesia or Deep Sedation

With general anesthesia, patients are usually in deep sleep during the procedure. 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 numb 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 reduces 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 during injection. The effect starts 90 to 100 seconds after injection. The drug must be administered continuously 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 and effectiveness in patients under 16 years of age haven’t been established.
• Dexmedetomidine: This potent sedative puts patients into a natural-like sleeping pattern. It must be administered continuously through a vein during the procedure. People with diabetes, those with high blood pressure, and older people 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.
• For patients with extremely sensitive teeth.
• For patients who have a bad gag reflex.
• When the amount of dental work is extensive and would require a longer session.

Is Dental Sedation Safe?

Dental sedation is usually safe when performed by an expert who considers the patient’s health-related issues, if any.

However, there is always a slight risk with any form of anesthesia. 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 apnoea 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 monitor vitals (oxygen, heart rate, blood pressure, etc.) to ensure they stay within permissible limits. We also keep 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 an estimated cost for 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.