Sedation dentistry has really revolutionized the dental field. Long gone are the days of fear and panic setting in as you prepare yourself mentally for your next dental procedure. Whether it be a dental implant that you are getting or a procedure as simple as a deep teeth cleaning, the idea of visiting your dentist has always been a source of angst and mental discomfort for most people. Over the past decade dentists have introduced various sedation dentistry options to help their patients sleep through their dental treatment and wake up without a memory of what happened. Patients ability to help cope with sedation dentistry has allowed many to get the dental treatment that they desperately need.
How safe is sedation dentistry?
If your dentist is properly trained to provide sedation dentistry, it can be a very safe option. As there are many sedation options available to the public now, the main form of sedation that clients choose tends to be intravenous sedation (IV Sedation). This form of sedation involves the use of a catheter that is inserted in your vein that allows your dentist to inject sedatives that can help you relax during your procedure. It is also the safest method of sedation dentistry because the amount of medicine given can be slowly titrated to allow the dentist to know how much medicine his or her patient needs to feel relaxed during the procedure. One of the other perks of intravenous sedation is the fact that it provides amnesic effects after you have treatment completed. This means that most patients do not remember anything about their dental treatment, which is very useful when undergoing complex dental procedures like wisdom teeth removal.
Will I feel any pain after I am sedated?
Local anesthesia is still used after IV Sedation has been started by your dentist. Although your body may feel pain during the procedure, you will not remember anything that happened due to the anterograde amnesia that these medications possess. All patients who undergo IV Sedation will not recognize any pain during their procedure due to a lack of memory of what happened during the course of the treatment.
How long does sedation last after my procedure?
This will entirely depend on how quickly your body metabolizes the medicines that are given intravenously. On average, it normally takes 6-8 hours to fully recover from the effects of sedation dentistry. Some patients will recover more quickly while other will take longer. We usually recommend to rest 24 hours after your procedure to make sure all remnants and effects posed by the medicines have left your system after your dental visit.
Is IV sedation safer than general anesthesia?
IV Sedation is more safe than general anesthesia. The difference between the two is the fact that when a general anesthetic is given, you lose your ability to breath on your own. That is the main difference between the two. As more sedative medicine is given, people cross the line between IV Sedation and general anesthesia. Your dentist must be very careful when administering medicines through an IV to not overdose you during the procedure. Too much medicine can slowly begin to impair your breathing leading to potentially life threatening dental emergencies.
How long does it take to wake up from IV Sedation?
After your procedure is completed, it will take up to 30 minutes to wake up from your procedure. Different reversal medications can be given to help speed up the recovery process, although these are typically used during a dental emergency. After 30 minutes you will slowly come around, although you will still be groggy and sleepy throughout the rest of the day.
Can you drive home after your dental sedation treatment?
The answer to this is a definitive no. You will not be able to operate any vehicle for up to 24 hours after your treatment is completed. You will need a driver to take you back home, otherwise you will not be allowed to be sedated during your procedure.
Do you provide sedation dentistry for kids?
At Best Dental, we only provide sedation options for our adult patients. For children, we do not go beyond nitrous oxide (laughing gas). If your child needs to be put to sleep for any extensive dental treatment, we normally refer them to a pediatric dentist who has the skill to perform these procedures.
Can I have my root canal performed under sedation?
You most definitely can. Many of our patients are able to sleep through their root canal therapy with IV Sedation. We offer this service to all our patients who suffer from severe dental phobia. Most root canal treatments last less than one hour, so you can be assured to be safe through the entirety of the procedure.
We hope these answered some of your questions regarding sedation dentistry. If you have any further inquiries feel free to give our Houston dental office a call today.