Types of Sedation Dentistry You Need to Know

Around 36% of people in the U.S. experience dental anxiety, and 12% have an intense fear. If the sound of a dental drill makes you uneasy or you’ve avoided appointments due to fear, you’re not alone. The good news is that sedation dentistry can help make your visit more relaxing. Keep reading to learn different types of sedation dentistry and when you might need it.

Understanding Sedation Dentistry

• Sedation dentistry helps you stay calm and relaxed during dental procedures. It uses moderate sedation, meaning you’re awake but feel at ease. Often called “twilight sleep,” it causes short-term amnesia, making you less aware of pain while staying conscious.

Types of Sedation Dentistry

• Sedation options vary based on your needs, anxiety level, procedure length, and medical history. The most common types include nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and intravenous (IV) sedation.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

• Nitrous oxide, or “laughing gas,” is inhaled through a mask or nosepiece. It takes effect within 3 to 5 minutes and helps you stay calm. Your dentist can adjust the dosage as needed throughout the procedure. After treatment, pure oxygen clears the gas from your system, allowing you to drive home safely.

The patient remains conscious and relaxed during the procedure. The effects of the gas wear off quickly, so the patient can return to work or drive as soon as the procedure is completed. Compared to other sedatives, laughing gas carries the least risk. Laughing gas can be used for all sorts of dental procedures, including root canals and dental cleaning.

Oral Sedation

• For oral sedation, your dentist usually prescribes sedative medication, usually in pill form, about an hour before the procedure. Triazolam, part of the Valium family, is commonly used, but other options, such as zaleplon or lorazepam, may also be prescribed. For children, liquid sedation, such as midazolam oral syrup, is often used.

Oral sedation makes you drowsy, and you might even fall asleep. However, you can still respond to your dentist if needed and can be easily awakened. Since this sedation affects memory and coordination, you’ll need someone to drive you home afterward.

IV Sedation

• IV sedation is the strongest form of conscious sedation in a dental office. Medication is delivered directly into your bloodstream through an IV line. Your dentist monitors your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels during the procedure and can adjust the dosage or reverse the sedation if needed.

Most patients fall asleep and remember little to nothing about the procedure afterward. This type of sedation is ideal for those with severe dental anxiety or who need long, complex treatments.

Is General Anesthesia Used in Dentistry?

• Yes, general anesthesia is sometimes required for dental procedures. It is typically used for young children, adults with special needs, or patients with severe dental anxiety. This method puts you into a deep, unconscious state during treatment.

Only dentists with advanced training can administer general anesthesia, which a licensed anesthesiologist often provides. To ensure patient safety, it is usually performed in a hospital or surgery center.

Who Can Benefit from Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is suitable for people of all ages, including children. Dentists may recommend it for those who experience:

• Dental anxiety or fear of the dentist
• A sensitive gag reflex
• Fear of needles (aichmophobia)
• Extreme tooth sensitivity
• Claustrophobia in the dental chair
• Resistance to local anesthesia
• Difficulty staying still during treatment
• Physical, cognitive, or behavioral special needs

If you are nervous about the pain during the procedure, do not delay your dental treatment. Contact our experts at Icon Dental Center, and we will let you know if sedation dentistry is right for you. We are a team of highly specialized dental professionals providing expert dental services in Everett and Seattle. Call us today at 206-225-2882, and let us take care of your dental treatment needs.