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Don’t you just hate it when ads are deceptive?

Among the misleading claims you will see from other dentists’ offices are what they can do for you in terms of sedation dentistry techniques.

They get loose with the terminology.

For instance, many dentists will claim to offer sleep dentistry, when the highest level of sedation they offer is oral sedation.

What’s the problem with that?

Well, sleep dentistry is a very specific term and it involves procedure that requires a great deal of training and expertise to administer (which our Southern Indiana practice happens to have invested heavily in).

That doesn’t mean that the other forms of sedation won’t relax you to the point of slumber. They may well do that for you, but it still is not what the ADA would deem sleep dentistry.

Today we thought it might be helpful to explore the distinctions between the types of sedation so that you won’t be fooled by those who play loose with the terms just to get more patients.

Conscious Sedation: A Good Starting Point

With conscious sedation you stay mostly awake and are somewhat aware of what is happening. There are two primary vehicles for this:

Inhaled Sedation: This is where nitrous oxide is delivered through a small mask over your nose. This is a low level of sedation that relaxes you enough to sit comfortably through whatever dental work you are receiving. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off almost immediately.

Oral Sedation: This type of sedation goes further than nitrous oxide, and it takes a little preparation. For this, you will take a prescription strength sedative pill before you come in for your procedure. You will be mostly awake for your treatment, and fairly aware.

Since this is a deeper level of sedation, it is not unheard of for patients to drift off to sleep while having their dental work done. That said, they are easily awakened. That would never be the case with true sleep dentistry.

Sleep Dentistry

Sleep dentistry will put you completely under. You will be asleep, and totally unaware of what is going on.

IV Sedation: This type of sedation produces unconsciousness in a seconds. It is ideal for those patients who are truly fearful of dental care procedures. It is also useful for patients who require a good deal of fairly invasive dental work. IV sedation allows you to lie completely still for a long period of time, longer than anyone would be able to do while consciously sedated, so that you can have the work you need done in one visit.

General Anesthesia: This is the highest level of sedation. It is usually administered in at a hospital because it requires the expertise of a Registered Nurse Anesthetist. The effects are similar to IV sedation, so this type of sedation is ideal for patients who are absolutely phobic but cannot receive IV sedation for whatever reason.

Learn More About Sedation At New Albany Implants

Whatever your needs may be, our Southern Indiana office has the sedation options you can count on. What’s more, you can trust that we will always tell it to you straight!

Contact us online to schedule an appointment at New Albany Implants!