Conscious sedation is something that is used for different purposes in dentistry. It helps people to relax and stay calm during their dental treatment. The patients will still be able to respond to any verbal commands given by their dentist. They will also be able to make use of specific reflexes.
The drugs can include nitrous oxide gas (laughing gas), opioids, etc. There are many patients who fear visiting dental clinics; sedation dentistry helps such people get their treatment with ease. While the anxiety is controlled, the patient still remains conscious and quite aware of what is happening around them.
Procedures that involve chairside treatment, usually sedation, are used in such cases. It is to ensure that patients remain pain-free and are able to get the treatment with ease. In Concord, there are many dental clinics that offer sedation depending on the type of dental treatment the patient is seeking.
Local anesthesia is the most popular type of sedation used in dentistry. Usually, it is given where the surgery has to take place. If you want your dental visit to be comfortable, you can contact a dentist in Concord, NC.
When do dentists use conscious sedation?
When there are minor procedures or when there is a chairside procedure, conscious sedation is used. Sedation options can be used for children if they are too apprehensive about getting the treatment done or might not be willing to go for treatment at all.
Some patients also have gag reflexes; they can also be recommended for sedation options. Furthermore, the level of sedation given to patients can be different; some may require mild sedation, and some may require a moderate level of sedation. The patients do not sleep the entire time and remain conscious.
What are the instances where conscious sedation can be used?
There are various places where sedation dentistry can be used; some of those places are discussed here:
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Complex procedures:
In the case of procedures that may take a long time or are complex in nature, conscious sedation can help. Whether it is a root canal treatment or a tooth that needs to be extracted, sedation can be helpful. Specific procedures can be painful, and therefore, these options can ease the pain for a more comfortable experience.
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Battling dental anxiety:
Dental anxiety is not something that is observed among young patients only; adults can also have dental anxiety. People may feel anxious because of their past experiences that might not have gone well. Many patients leave their condition untreated because of fear. This is not something that will go well for them in the long run.
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Gag reflex:
In some people, they have strong gag reflexes, which can make it difficult for them to get dental procedures done. Conscious sedation can help such patients receive relief, and their gag reflexes can also be reduced, which is going to make it a lot easier for the dentist to perform the procedure safely.
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Special patients:
There are children who might have developmental disabilities; it can be challenging for such patients to receive dental care properly. Conscious sedation can help such people to be able to cooperate during their treatment.
What does the procedure for general anesthesia involve?
Before any patient is given conscious sedation, they have to undergo an extensive dental examination to ensure that sedation will not have any adverse effects on the person’s health. Let us look at what the procedure involves:
- Preparation before beginning with the treatment is going to be there, where the patients will be told about what they are supposed to eat and what not.
- Sedatives will be given through inhalation(usually, this method is used).
- During the procedure, everything from heart rate to oxygen levels will be monitored.
- Once the procedure is done, sedatives will no longer be given and will eventually be stopped.
Contact a professional if you are someone who is afraid of receiving dental treatment. They can help you by providing different sedation treatment options.
