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Top Dentist around you answer the most commonly asked question ‘is sedation dentistry safe’?
Dental anxiety is a serious problem that discourages a lot of people from going to their regular dental checkups. People who suffer from dental anxiety would endure the pain and agony of a severe toothache rather than stepping foot in a dentist’s office. Luckily for these people, a plethora of new techniques and methods have been introduced to make their dental visits more tolerable with varying degrees of success.
Sedation dentistry has been quite effective in easing dental anxiety.
Sedation dentistry is a medical procedure that involves the administration of sedative drugs which perform the key function of depressing the central nervous system. These drugs can be administered in a variety of ways and the sole purpose of their usage is to relax and calm the patients down in the midst of a dental procedure.
Levels of Sedation
- There are various levels of sedation that are administered to a patient based on the severity of the procedure to be performed. These levels include;
- Minimal Sedation: in this type of sedation you are given a very mild sedative to relax your nerves. Hence, you are completely awake.
- Moderate Sedation: in moderate sedation, you are given a slightly stronger sedative so there is a great chance that you will not remember most of the procedure once you regain full consciousness.
- Deep Sedation: you are given a very strong sedative because of which you are on the edge of consciousness.
- General Anesthesia: as the name suggests you are administered anesthesia and because of that you are completely knocked out.
Safety Procedure Before Using A Sedative
- Like any other medical procedure if sedation is not done properly it can cause permanent mental damage. So, it is important that the person who is administering the sedation should be well trained and qualified in order to make sure that everything is done smoothly and properly. In addition to this, be mindful of the following for the dental procedure to go as smoothly as possible:
Proper Medical History
- Before the procedure even starts it is important that your dentist goes over your medical history. This assessment will inform your dentist whether you are allergic to any kind of medication that is used in the sedatives or anesthetics. It will also let your dentist know about the medication you are currently taking and whether that counteracts the sedation that will be given to you.
All of this will help him determine whether you are an ideal candidate for sedation dentistry or not.
Determining the Appropriate Dosage
- After viewing the medical history, you should ask your dentist what kind of sedation will be best for you based on a series of factors like your age, health, and the type of procedure you are about to undergo. It is also important to make sure that the dose which is being administered is in accordance with the ADA guidelines.
You should also ask your dentist about the number of times he has administered the same sedative to their patients and how comfortable they are with using it.
Risks Involved with Sedation Dentistry
- Sedation is generally considered safe for the patients who qualify for the procedure. If your dentist properly reviews your medical history before recommending the sedative, your chances of encountering any risks will be reduced drastically. Nevertheless, it is important to know the risks associated with sedation dentistry.
Over-Sedation
- Too much sedation can cause permanent damage. However, dentists nowadays use a system that allows them to quickly adjust the sedation doses which makes over-sedation an extremely unlikely event.
Respiratory Issues
- Respiratory issues can occur with the usage of sedatives if the patient was too deeply sedated. It is again important to note that the likelihood of this is extremely low as a good dentist will always monitor respiratory distress and other health issues during the administration process.
Longer Recovery Time
- If stronger sedatives are used during a process, the effects can take several hours to completely wear off. So, it is always a good idea to make sure that someone drives you and picks you up from the dentist before and after the procedure respectively as these sedatives make driving extremely risky and unsafe.
In the above text, we have discussed sedation dentistry in great detail. We talked about the levels of sedation that are normally administered as well as the safety procedure that needs to be followed in order to successfully administer the sedatives. Furthermore, we also talked about some of the risks that are commonly associated with this procedure and the steps that can be taken to avoid them.
If you live in Everett or Seattle and have any queries about the sedation dentistry procedure like how does it work or how can you prepare yourself for it then feel free to contact us today at the Icon Dental Center.