_11zon.png){kind=icon}
If you’re considering dental sedation, you may have fallen down a rabbit hole of information. At Lakeview Modern Dentistry, we’re here to help you separate fact from fiction with the 7 biggest myths about dental sedation. Dental sedation can be a really useful and convenient tool in dentistry to relax nervous patients and help dentists perform treatments more efficiently. Read on to find out why these 7 common dental myths are untrue.
The only time you would not have control of your body is if you receive general anesthesia, which is the most intense sedative, usually used for complex procedures such as extractions or dental implants. When general anesthesia is administered, you are “put under” meaning you will be unconscious for the entire procedure and will not remember anything.
However, many other milder sedatives relax you but do not put you to sleep. During IV, oral conscious, and nitrous oxide sedation, you are fully aware of your surroundings, can control your body, and respond to questions. You may fall asleep during the procedure or forget what happened, but you will not lose control.
As previously stated, general anesthesia is usually used for complex or painful procedures. However, three other types of sedation are used all the time in routine dental treatments such as cleanings and fillings. Someone can be sedated for a very minor dental treatment if they suffer from severe dental anxiety.
Children can be sedated if their parents give formal consent. Children are commonly sedated during dental procedures because they are more likely to be uncooperative or anxious than adult patients. The most popular sedative administered to children is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas.
This type of sedation is mild and has a quick onset, but will make your child relaxed or euphoric. This will ease their anxiety and help restless children be more cooperative during dental treatments. They will likely not remember anything afterward which can help reduce dental ambivalence in the future.
There are four main sedatives used in dentistry: nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, IV sedation, and general anesthesia. Nitrous oxide administers oxygen and nitrous oxide through a gas mask which is inhaled by the patient.
Oral conscious sedation is a sedative in the form of an anti-anxiety pill such as a benzodiazepine, IV sedation is a deeper form of sedation that has a quicker onset because an IV is used to administer it directly into your bloodstream, and general anesthesia is when a patient is put to sleep for the entire duration of the treatment, can not respond, and will not remember anything.
These myths are two sides of the same coin. The bottom line is that not everyone responds to sedation in the same way and sedation is not suitable for everyone. However, it is also not harmful to everyone, either.
You must disclose your medical history and any medications you are taking to your dentist. You will need to inform them if you are pregnant or breastfeeding and if you have any medical conditions.
These could impact your ability to be sedated. Barring these preconditions, however, sedation is considered perfectly safe when administered by a professional who is closely monitoring the patient and is prepared to respond to any complications.
Depending on the type of sedation, you may have to fast for several hours before being sedated. This may or may not include drinking water. Certain sedatives will not interfere with over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen but you must discuss this with your dentist before taking them. If you are receiving oral conscious or IV sedation or general anesthesia you will not be able to drive. You will need to arrange for rides to and from your dentist appointment.
Are you overdue for a dental checkup or cleaning? You should visit regular dental appointments every 6 months to prevent oral health problems such as tooth decay and gum disease. Contact us at Lakeview Modern Dentistry at (608) 716-8622 or book online to schedule an appointment with Dr. Kevin DeGroot.
