If you have any anxiety about coming to the dentist’s office, sedation dentistry can help!
Sedation dentistry allows you to relax in the dentist’s chair. Are you an Owings Mills, MD resident that has been less than excited to assess your dental health? Well, no worries. We specialize in sedation dentistry and gentle dentistry. With that in mind, we have the tools and level of care needed to put you one step closer to overcoming your fears. Today we’ll share the ins and outs of sedation dentistry. We’ll define what this service is, discuss the levels of sedation, who qualifies for sedation dentistry, and what types of sedations exist, in general.
Sedation Dentistry Defined
Dentists use medication to help patients relax during dental procedures and treatments. Dentists sometimes also refer to this specialization as “sleep dentistry.” However, patients are typically awake unless they are under general anesthesia. Here are the levels of sedation:
- Minimal Sedation: The patient is awake but indeed more relaxed
- Moderate Sedation: You may slur your words during the procedure and may not remember much about the process
- Deep Sedation: A patient is almost unconscious, but it won’t be impossible to wake them up
- General Anesthesia: You are entirely unconscious
What Types of Sedatives Exist?
- Laughing Gas– Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide is inhaled through a mask placed through a patient’s nose, along with oxygen. This gas helps patients to relax and wears off quickly. After inhaling laughing gas, it is still safe to drive home. We would classify this under “minimal sedation.”
- Oral Sedation- This process involves taking a pill, and the level of sedation can range from minimal to moderate. The medicine makes patients drowsy if given a small dose. However, when a dentist provides a patient with a larger dose, some patients will fall asleep and can be awakened without an issue.
- Deep Sedation/General Anesthesia– This involves a dentist giving a patient medication that will either make them almost unconscious or wholly unconscious. Usually, patients cannot be woken up until the medication wears off completely.
***Note: A dentist will also use a local anesthetic to numb the affected area to mitigate pain or discomfort.
Who Qualifies for Sedation Dentistry?
If you have a real fear of the dentist’s office or battle with anxiety, then sedatives can indeed help. Here are a few other qualifiers:
- If you have a low pain threshold
- If it’s hard to sit still in a dentist’s chair
- If your teeth are highly sensitive
- If you have a bad gag reflex
- If you need extensive amounts of dental work done
Oral Care from Catonsville Dental Care for Owings Mills Residents
Whether you want to whiten your teeth, straighten your teeth, or have a wisdom tooth extracted Catonsville Dental Care offers a wide variety of services when it comes to oral health. We have the experience and understanding to diagnose and treat any problem you have as quickly and painlessly as possible. With four dentists available at our office and commitment to comfort, safety, and relaxation you can’t find a better provider for your health. We look forward to helping you keep your smile perfect all year long and talking with you about your needs. To schedule an appointment or consultation, visit us online or give us a call at 410-747-1115. For more tips and tricks follow us on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter,andYouTube.