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.

Get started today!

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

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Related Posts

Go To An Emergency Dentistry To Deal With An Impacted Wisdom Tooth

An impacted wisdom tooth requires emergency dentistry treatment. This type of tooth develops underneath the gums. It typically does not erupt above the gumline because there is no room for it. Impaction causes severe, distracting pain. If you want to know why you should go to an emergency dentistry facility for impacted wisdom tooth treatment,…

What Are The Differences Between A General Dentistry And An Emergency Dentistry Office?

You may have a basic understanding of the differences between general dentistry and an emergency dentistry office. Still, it can be difficult to determine which to visit when you have an oral health concern. This resource provides you with the information you need to make informed decisions about your oral care, particularly whether to visit…

The Importance Of Tooth Extractions At An Emergency Dentistry Office

Many emergency dentistry situations require dental extractions. Removing the problematic tooth can improve your dental health. It can even prevent further complications.If patients want to know the importance of dental extractions during an emergency dental treatment, here are the details.A dental fracture can happen if the patient bites down hard enough to crack the lower…

Tooth Extraction For An Impacted Tooth

Tooth extraction comes in different forms and for different reasons. This is not ordinarily the method that dentists prefer, but in some cases, removing a tooth is the right treatment. Often, a tooth is already in place when the dentist needs to remove it. However, a tooth can also be impacted and still require an…