Dental anxiety is very common. Worries about visiting the dentist are shared by 40% of Canadians. Their strong fear of dentistry needs a caring approach, the use of modern dentistry techniques, and sedation.
Is dental sedation important for you? Perhaps you feel it makes dental treatment possible. Read on to learn about the several types of dental sedation we offer.
Nitrous Oxide
Laughing gas is no joke. It’s a very effective means of reducing anxiety even if it’s just about a dental check up. It’s especially useful for moderately painful procedures.
We administer Nitrous Oxide using a mask put over the nose. The patient inhales the odourless gas and feels relaxed and comfortable. It might even make them giggle a little.
We remove the effects by administering pure oxygen and they can safely leave the dentist and even drive themselves home.
IV Sedation
More serious anxiety or more painful procedures might be best supported with the use of IV sedation.
After fasting before attending the dentist, the sedation is administered and the patient is monitored throughout the procedure. The patient may not even recall the treatment after it is over.
Patients cannot drive themselves home after the procedure as the medication may take a little while to wear off.
Oral Sedatives
When a mild sedative is needed, we can administer oral sedation. Taken a short while before treatment, oral sedation reduces fearful feelings. The patient is awake throughout but they feel relaxed and can cope with pain more easily.
An oral sedative can also help patients handle the anxiety and discomfort around local anaesthetic use. Patients need someone to drive them home afterward.
General Anaesthetic
General anaesthesia renders the patient unconscious throughout the dental procedure. It is best used for patients with a great deal of anxiety or when treatment when greater pain management is needed.
Patients under general anaesthetic feel no pain whatsoever. The medication is administered either through a face mask or intravenously. A patient will need to be accompanied and driven home.
There are some possible side-effects of general anaesthesia and existing conditions that need to be taken into consideration. We will need to discuss the procedure, its risks, and benefits with patients beforehand.
Let’s Talk
It starts with a conversation. Dental sedation may be helpful in many cases of dental anxiety.
Talk about your needs now by contacting us.
