Do you have anxiety or fear about visiting the dentist’s office? Are you needing to get your wisdom teeth removed? If so, sedation dentistry may be right for you! Here, we’ll explain what sedation dentistry is, what kinds of sedation we offer, and what procedures use sedation dentistry.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients stay calm and relaxed during dental procedures. This could be anything from root canal therapy to wisdom teeth removal to a routine teeth cleaning, depending on how extreme a patient’s anxiety or fear is. Sedation provides a calming, relaxing feeling that allows patients to feel at ease when in the dental chair. With sedation dentistry, there’s no reason to avoid the dentist’s office!

What Sedation Dentistry Options Are Available?

There are a number of sedation options out there, but at Royal Lane Dental Center we use three kinds:

1. First, DentalVibe is a sedation that will send pulsing vibrations through you which act to block pain signals from your brain at the time of a shot or injection.

2. Next, there’s laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, which is used to put patients into a relaxed, light-hearted state without any effects afterwards.

3. Finally, there’s oral conscious sedation. This is a pill that patients can take before their treatment that sends them into a deeper state of relaxation than when using nitrous oxide. Oral conscious sedation is usually reserved for those patients which severe anxiety or who are undergoing a complex procedure.

What Kind of Procedures Is Sedation Dentistry Used for?

Depending on your level of anxiety about the dental office, sedation dentistry could be used for something as basic as a teeth cleaning! Oral conscious sedation is great for procedures like wisdom teeth removal, when the patient doesn’t have to be put completely asleep but does need to be sedated to avoid any discomfort. Whether or not you are sedated during dental procedures is between you and your dentist.

Who Is a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

In addition to those needing their wisdom teeth removed or those with dental fear and anxiety, sedation dentistry can also be used for those who have a low pain threshold, can’t sit still in the dentist’s chair, have a bad gag reflex, need a lot of dental work done, or have very sensitive teeth. While sedation dentistry is not dangerous, it’s important that patients who receive sedation dentistry are in good health, both physically and mentally. For example, if you have cardiac disease, hypertension, respiratory disease, or diabetes, you’ll need to be approved by a physician before you can receive sedation.

More Questions? We Have Answers!

If you have dental anxiety or fear, need your wisdom teeth removed, or are simply due for your biannual cleaning and checkup, we’re here to help you feel safe and comfortable throughout your treatment. Contact us to learn more about our dental sedation options or to schedule your appointment at Royal Lane Dental Center.

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