If the idea of undergoing a dental procedure makes you feel uncomfortable, you are far from alone. Many people struggle with a degree of dental anxiety or fear. The good news is that dentists and oral surgeons can use sedation to help you stay calm and relaxed! In some cases, they might even put you to sleep. This blog post provides an overview of dental sedation and what you can expect from it.
Dental Sedation: The Basics
Dental sedation uses medications to induce feelings of calmness and relaxation. Most types of sedation are conscious, meaning that they do not actually put you to sleep. Rather, they simply dull your response to pain and help you to have a comfortable, anxiety-free experience. Examples of conscious sedation include nitrous oxide, oral sedation, and IV sedation. (IV sedation is sometimes called “sleep dentistry” because it can make you feel as if you are asleep, even though that is not usually true.)
General anesthesia, on the other hand, does cause unconsciousness. It induces a complete unawareness of your surroundings. Because general anesthesia is more complex than other types of sedation, dentists and oral surgeons tend to use it only in cases where a patient needs particularly lengthy or invasive treatment, or when other complicating factors are involved.
Which Type of Sedation Is Right for You?
Your care team can help you determine which type of sedation best fits your circumstances. Here is a general overview of the typical patient for each type of sedation:
- Nitrous oxide (a gas that you inhale) is ideal for patients with mild dental anxiety who want to feel relaxed yet remain fully awake. It is suitable for both adults and children, wears off quickly, and allows you to drive yourself home afterward.
- Oral conscious sedation (sedation in pill form) is often best for those with moderate anxiety, difficulty sitting still, or those undergoing longer procedures. It is also a good option for patients who want deeper relaxation but prefer to avoid needles.
- IV sedation (administered directly into your blood stream) is suitable for patients with significant dental anxiety, a severe gag reflex, or those who need complex, lengthy treatments.
- General anesthesia is typically reserved for patients who need to undergo extensive oral surgery, those with special healthcare needs, or individuals for whom other sedation methods are ineffective. It is used when complete unconsciousness is necessary for safety or comfort.
Talk to Your Care Provider to Learn More
When you visit your dentist or oral surgeon, let them know about your anxieties and concerns. If you are interested in sedation, they will screen you to make sure that you do not have any risk factors that could make it dangerous (for example, it is not usually used on pregnant individuals). Then, they can inform you of your options.
Sedation can make your next dental procedure much easier! Hopefully, you can attend your appointment with confidence that you will have a low-stress experience.
Meet the Practice
At Piney Point Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of Katy/Cypress, our experienced team offers all the types of sedation mentioned in this blog post, including general anesthesia. We truly prioritize patient comfort and safety! To learn more about how we may be able to serve you, contact our office at 832-353-1100.