Sedation dentistry is the use of medication to help you relax while we take care of your teeth. But because there are different types of dental sedation available, not all of them fall under the category of “sleep dentistry.”
You can learn more about the types of sedation below and how they might benefit you in the future.
Sedation Dentistry Can Help Ease Dental Anxiety
At New Albany Implants, with the help of sedation dentistry, you can have your teeth taken care of without experiencing any pain or discomfort. You won’t have to worry about feeling uneasy or self-conscious about your teeth.
With sedation dentistry, we can work more efficiently, which means the opportunity to save you the trouble of multiple, unnecessary appointments. Exactly what you experience and remember, however, depends on what kind of sedation you opt for. At our New Albany, IN dental office, we offer several types of dental sedation, including IV sedation and general anesthesia, which most closely match the description of “sleep dentistry.”
You can learn more about each type of dental sedation below.
Dental Sedation Options
Laughing Gas
Laughing gas is inhaled through a small rubber device placed over your nose. It is used to help you feel more relaxed and wears off within minutes after using it. We generally use nitrous oxide for patients with mild dental anxiety or for brief, uncomplicated dental procedures.
Oral Conscious Sedation
With oral conscious sedation, you take a pill on an empty stomach, usually about an hour before your procedure. You’ll still be awake during the treatment, but you’ll be far more relaxed, somewhat sleepy, and less aware of things going on around you.
Because this type of sedation comes in pill form, it’s harder to adjust and doesn’t take immediate effect.
Oral conscious sedation is typically used for patients with mild dental anxiety, a mild gag reflex, and for relatively short procedures.
IV Sedation
IV sedation has been a total game-changer for patients with dental anxiety. With IV sedation, you don’t have to try to get over your fear to take care of your teeth. With IV sedation, you can get the treatment you need, without experiencing any pain, smells, sights, or sounds.
We can administer IV sedation quickly and adjust it as needed throughout your treatment so we can work efficiently while you relax in total comfort.
Because you’ll be completely asleep during the procedure, we can more easily complete prolonged procedures in a single visit instead of multiple.
If you have moderate to severe dental anxiety, IV sedation may be a good option for you.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia, like IV sedation, allows you to relax and fall asleep so you won’t remember a thing. You won’t feel, hear, smell, or taste a single part of the procedure. General anesthesia is usually administered by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) and is usually carried out in a hospital.
Like IV sedation, general anesthesia can be administered quickly and adjusted during the procedure as needed. It also allows us to knock out prolonged procedures in a much shorter amount of time.
If you have dental phobia and are not able to physically or behaviorally cooperate for a dental procedure, or if you have a medical condition that could put you at risk, general anesthesia is a great option.
What Type Of Dental Sedation Is Right For You?
To find out what type of dental sedation will work best for you, consider the following factors:
- The amount of fear or anxiety you experience when thinking about going to the dentist or undergoing a dental procedure.
- Your personal health history.
- The type of sedation that is best suited for the treatment you’re considering.
Once you have a better idea of the type of dental sedation that may work for you, discuss it with us during your consultation. We’re more than happy to go over all the information with you so you don’t feel left in the dark.
To learn more about dental sedation and how we can make you feel completely at ease during your time with us, call New Albany Implants at (812) 945-7645. You can also contact us online.