4 Things To Ask Before Your Sedation Dentistry Appointment

Sedation dentistry is a godsend for people who freak out at the sights, smells and sounds that come with sitting in a dentist’s chair. For many of us, it is the only way to get rid of that agonizing toothache. Anything less than sedation will send us running out of the dentist’s office, screaming.

So, we opt for sedation dentistry. It helps to keep us calm and, sometimes, happy while we are in the dentist’s chair.

What you should know about sedation dentistry

Sedation brings with it its own set of worries. To put your mind at ease, you should ask your dentist some basic questions before you schedule your sedation dentistry appointment.

1. What kinds of sedation are available?

A dentist can choose different levels of sedation for their patient, ranging from minimal to general anesthesia. They will make a choice depending on their patient’s anxiety levels and the type of procedure being performed. Here are the different levels of sedation:

• Minimal anesthesia usually involves the administration of laughing gas via a gas mask. The laughing gas wears off quickly and the person can drive after a while
• Moderate sedation involves drugs that are administered orally or via IV
• Deep sedation is usually done using drugs administered via IV. A person that is deeply sedated hovers at the edge of consciousness
• General anesthesia is the state of being completely knocked out. The patient will only wake up when the drugs wear off or when a second drug is used to counteract the anesthetic

2. Which type is best?

The answer depends on the patient’s individual situation. The type of sedation that a dentist chooses will depend on a number of things. The first being the patient’s threshold for pain and anxiety. A person with severe dental phobias will require more intense sedation.

Also, different kinds of procedures require different levels of sedation. The longer and more invasive the procedure the higher the level of sedation will be. As an example, minor jaw surgery may require general anesthesia, while a filling should only require laughing gas or a pill.

3. Is the dentist a certified and experienced sedation dentist?

This is an important question. Keep in mind that hospitals have people that specialize in putting people under. Meaning that not every dentist is qualified to perform moderate and deep sedation. Sedation dentistry requires its own board certification.

Now, certification is not enough. The ideal dentist should have lots of experience performing sedation dentistry. Feel free to ask how many times a prospective dentist has sedated their patients for a procedure. This information will help to put one at ease.

4. What safety precautions will the dentist take?

The patient should tell the dentist about any medications that they are on. This will allow the dentist to choose drugs that are safe for the individual.

If necessary, the dentist will make adjustments to their sedation routine or, where possible, ask the patient to stop taking their medication. Whenever possible, the dentist will coordinate with the patient’s doctor to adjust their medication.

Sedation dentistry also requires the dentist to monitor their patient’s vitals while they are sedated.

With sedation dentistry, there is no reason to avoid the dentist

You can get the dental treatment you need, sometimes without having to remember what happened. Now is the time to face your fears and get rid of that persistent dental problem. Call our practice and schedule an appointment today.

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Request an appointment here: https://familychoicedentistry.com or call Family Choice Dental at (505) 634-5657 for an appointment in our Albuquerque office.

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