Whether you are someone who just really hates going to the dentist or you are looking for some way to make your more lengthy appointments more bearable, you may consider looking into sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry provides you with a more calm and comfortable atmosphere at your dental visit. You can finally feel relaxed while you receive the dental care that you have long neglected.
Sedation dentistry involves giving a patient some kind of sedative (most commonly used sedative methods are listed below) that allows them to become relaxed, drowsy and to sometimes fall asleep all together while they are having a procedure done. · IV or Deep Conscious Sedation – Usually used by oral surgeons, IV sedation requires specialized training to administer. In this case the sedative is administered intravenously, or in other words, straight through the blood stream. A benefit of having a sedative administered through an IV is that in the course of a procedure more medication can easily be administered even if the patient is not awake. Although IV sedation may begin to work faster than other oral types of sedation, its side effects are also more severe. Usually it will take longer for the drowsiness and amnesia of the experience to fully disappear. · Orally Administered Sedation – is administered through ingesting a pill. The benefit of orally administered sedation is that the patient is able to maintain normal body control and can still breath on his own. The disadvantage to oral treatments is that all patients respond differently. What may be an insufficient dose of sedative for one patient might completely knock out a different patient. The sedative works by not necessarily making the patient fall asleep, but rather to relax the patient to the point where they achieve a “sleep-like” state. In fact, those under the influence of orally administered sedation will still be able to speak and respond to the requests of others. After the sedative has worn off, many patients (although some may have technically stayed awake the whole time) will not remember much about their procedure. · Inhalation Conscious Sedation – Also known as laughing gas, a dentist can administer a dose of Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation in order to allow the patient to feel relaxed during their visit. With inhalation treatments all regular bodily functions remain the same and as with oral sedation the patient will frequently achieve a sleep-like state, not remembering much about their procedure.
Patients who exhibit extreme fear, immunity to numbing methods or have extremely sensitive teeth are usually those who should consider sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry is mostly intended for those who would not take care of their teeth unless they are somehow sedated. Sedation can be dangerous and its effects will usually be apparent even hours after the procedure is complete. Because sedatives usually take several hours to wear off, those who are given a sedative at the dentist are counseled not to drive themselves anywhere until the effects of the sedative have completely worn off.
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Dr. Natalie Ann Amann, DDS, is a leading dentist in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Amann specializes in King of Prussia Smile Makeovers, Dental Implants and Sedation Dentistry. Visit us for more information on Dr. Amann and the King of Prussia Smile Center, or call (610) 265-3939.
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