Why is Sedation Dentistry Imperative?
At times, we have oral health issues that cause undesired pain and suffering. The problem needs to be addressed in time. During the dental procedure, it is imperative to numb the area that is to be operated to avoid further suffering. Thus sedation is vital, and its application should not be neglected.
Sedation lowers the intensity of irritation or agitation. It makes use of drugs that depress the nerve functions to reduce nervous tension. Hence it is widely used in surgical procedures.
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Overview of Sedation Dentistry
It is the use of specific agents to calm the nerves of the patient prior any surgical proceedings. These agents known as sedative drugs depress the areas with awareness. The intensity of sensation and relaxation differs concerning the nervous system. It ranges from minimal to deep sedation.
- Minimal sedation is applied to the patient to calm the nature with least anxiety. Such patients tend to respond readily to any physical or verbal activity.
- Moderate sedation reduces anxiety and is applied to patients who are more relaxed and allows responding only to purposeful stimulation.
- In deep sedation, the patient is at most unresponsive and shows the least consciousness.
There are two ways to obtain sedation:
- First way
The first way is to use the route from the oral cavity through the alimentary canal, passing through the digestive tract into the rectum. It involves the medications which are either swallowed or absorbed.
- Second way
It is obtained by route excluding the alimentary canal. It includes various methods such as intravenous or intramuscular administration.
Evaluation of Patient Health
The first step even before oral sedation is to perform patient screening to identify the health concerns of the patient. Thus before sedation dentist try to evaluate the following:
- Drugs to which the patient is allergic
- Hypertension level of the patient
- Medications and supplements that are currently taken by the patient
- Medical history of the patient
A patient needs to be investigated for the above issues to perform any oral surgery of treatment in advance. A patient can also be interviewed for any complications that he/she might have faced in the past while having similar kind of treatment.
Benefits of Adopting Sedation Dentistry
There are numerous benefits of sedation in dentistry, and hence it is practiced. It offers the advantage to both, the patient and the dentist as well. It is imperative from the patient point of view as it is the only way one can receive dental care without much pain. Thus, dental sedation offers the following benefits:
- Relaxation to the patient
- Controlled movement of the area to be operated
- Ease of application
- Known recovery time
- Less risk-oriented
Recovery from sedation
The time required to recover from the sedation depends entirely on the sedative drug used. Here are some examples of the effect of sedatives:
- Nitrous oxide
It wears off within a short period from the time of its application. Thus it is less intense and might have no more effect on senses.
- Benzodiazepine
The effect of this drug depends on the severity of the medication received. It is dominant, and its impact persists for several hours.
- IV sedation
It is the powerful sedative. Its effect lasts long, and in such case, it is better to be at the dental clinic until your consciousness is back entirely and drowsiness is reduced.
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Potential Risks
There are risks involved in sedation dentistry. It might numb the area for more time than expected if not operated with due care. It can also cause a headache, dizziness, and nausea in some of the scenarios. Dry mouth is known to occur in case of improper application of sedative. Not all dentists are good at it and thus should be operated by a professional.
Important Article: Pediatric Dentistry Guide for Parents
Eligible Patients
Patients may consider themselves for sedation dentistry because of several different reasons depending on their interest.
For example:
- People with dental phobia
- Bad dental treatment experience in the past
- Particularly sensitive oral nerves
- Smallmouth that becomes sore during dental work
- Resistance to local anesthesia
- General anxiety disorder
Raleigh Endodontist, Dr. Luke Dalzell, suggests If you see yourself in any of the stated problem areas, consider consulting your local dentist about Sedation Dentistry. The process of dental sedation can help patients sit through different types of dental procedures, such as root canals, dental implantation, tooth extractions, and more. However, for regular dental cleanings, X-rays, and other routine care it is not recommended except in cases of extreme anxiety. Only then it may be a viable reason for sedation during those procedures.
References:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sedation_dentistry
- http://raleighendodontics.com/sedation-dentistry/
- http://www.doctorreview.org/wiki/sedation-dentistry/
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