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Articles
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry refers to the use of drugs that react biologically at receptor sites in the body. They are used keep a patient calm and relaxed prior to and during a dental procedure. Sedation dentistry is used to provide an anxiety-free encounter for certain people, it enables those people who are too afraid to go to the dentist to receive the dental care they need while avoiding the common trepidation known as dental phobia.
The drugs that are used are called pharmacological agents. They usually belong to a class of drugs called sedatives (tranquillizers, depressants, anti-anxiety medications, nitrous oxide, etc.), which work by depressing the central nervous system, specifically with the areas that relate to the conscious awareness. There are different degrees of central nervous system depression, each corresponding to a level of relaxation which ranges from minimal, moderate, to deep sedation. As a general guideline:
- Minimal sedation – refers to a patient who has reduced anxiety but is readily responds to verbal or physical stimulation.
- Moderate sedation – the patient is even more relaxed, and will respond to purposeful stimulation.
- Deep sedation – the patient may not exhibit any signs of consciousness and is therefore unresponsive to stimulation.
Sedation methods can be administered in a variety of ways. They include:
- Oral - involves absorption of medication through the oral cavity, through the digestive tract, or in the rectum. This route includes medications that are swallowed, absorbed through the mucosa of the oral cavity, or inserted rectally.
- Anxiolysis - minimal or mild sedation called inhalation analgesia (aka nitrous oxide or "laughing gas"). It is administered via a small nose-hood placed over the nose through which nitrous oxide is delivered prior to and throughout treatment.
- Moderate Sedation: defined by a depressed level of consciousness where the patient can breathe independently, retains reflexes and responds to verbal/physical stimulation. Oral sedation or oral conscious sedation (OCS) – most often associated with sedation dentistry – produces moderate sedation via oral medication dispensed to the patient before the appointment to diminish awareness of pain, sounds and smells.
- IV Sedation: sedatives delivered via injection into the blood vessels of the hand or arm, makes patients feel as if they are actually asleep, similar to oral sedation. The difference between oral and intravenous sedation is the route of administration. Administered via injection, intravenous sedation has an almost instantaneous effect and is more powerful and controllable than oral sedation.
- Intramuscular Sedation: an injection of sedative drugs into the muscles of the upper arm or upper thigh, can result in sedation within five minutes, it is not used in dental procedures very often.
- Deep sedation: Deep sedation involves depressed consciousness in which a patient may not breath independently, loses some of his/her reflexes and is unable to respond to verbal/physical stimulation. This level of sedation is typically achieved with IV sedation or general anesthesia medications.
- General Anesthesia: General anesthesia is commonly used for surgery and a small percentage of people who are not good candidates for sedation dentistry. This type of anesthesia typically takes place in a hospital.
If you are unenthusiastic about going to the dentist for general wellness or to fix your smile because you are afraid or anxious about dental procedures, sedation dentistry can make you feel comfortable during the treatment process and help you achieve a smile you can be proud of and show off. Our dentists and staff here at Atlantic Dentists are ready to find the best sedation method to help you receive the proper dental care you need for good health and wellness. Dr. Drake offers IV sedation and is one of only a few dentists in Central Florida that offers this service. Please call us at 386-673-1611 to set up your dental check up.
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