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Oral hygiene is a vital component to stay healthy. It is important for people of all age groups whether they are children or adults to experience sedation dentistry. People with teeth problems are often afraid to visit a dentist and get treatment. The reason behind that is due to treatments being very painful; however, sedation dentistry has saved patients from the discomfort. It is a comfort zone for the patient as the dental procedure is quite uncomfortable and involves a lot of pain. Sedation dentistry drugs vary from patient to patient and are meant to provide relief and calmness to the person.

What Does Sedation Dentistry Mean?

SEDATION DENTISTRY

Sedation dentistry is a process in which the dentist uses medication or drugs to relax the patient before or during a long dental procedure. Dentists also call sedation dentistry as sleep dentistry. The patient is usually awake after he is given the sedation dentistry drug. Complete sleep happens when the patient is given anesthesia by the dentist.There are set rules and guidelines for dentists to comply with their state laws when providing sedation dentistry drugs and anesthesia to a person. The dentist must be qualified and should have extensive sedation dentistry experience to carry out such procedures.

Sedation Dentistry Drugs and Medicines

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Sedation dentistry is generally considered safe for all types of patients. The dentist carrying out the procedure should have a sound sedation dentistry experience and should use sedation dentistry drugs while keeping in mind the well-being of the patients.

A variety of techniques are used in Sedation dentistry and they include the following:

  1. Minimal sedation – the patient is awake but cannot feel any pain and is fully relaxed.
  2. Moderate sedation – the patient is slightly unconscious and can speak in an unclear tone, but will not remember much of the procedure.
  3. Deep sedation – the patient is in a state of sleep but not completely and can still be awakened.
  4. General anesthesia – the patient is completely unconscious.

If we talk about the types of sedation dentistry drugs, they can be divided into the following:

  • Laughing gas – it provides one of the most interesting sedation dentistry experiences due to its itchy nature. It is also called nitrous oxide and the dentist gives it to patients in conscious state through an apparatus that is placed on the nose. The effect of gas remains on patients until they breathe it in but as soon as they stop inhaling the gas, the influence just fades away. Patients usually keep laughing during the process
  • Oral sedation – This type of sedation dentistry can be done with the help of a pill which needs to be taken the night before the dental procedure. The sedation dentistry drug can be of minimal or moderate level. A small dose will make the patient drowsy while a large dose will make the patient fall asleep.
  • IV moderate sedation – This sedation dentistry drug can be of two types. One is called twilight through which you are conscious but have no idea of the surroundings. The second type is the general anesthesia through which you are totally unconscious. The sedation dentistry drug is given through a vein.

Most Popular Questions about Sedation Dentistry Experience

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Who Is Sedation Dentistry for?

Sedation dentistry is for patients who have a high level of anxiety and fear dental procedures. Usually those people who are sensitive and cannot tolerate pain choose sedation dentistry. It is also suitable for those who have sensitive oral nerves, severe gag reflex or difficulty getting numb. Moreover, sedation dentistry is also for young children or individuals with physical or mental disabilities.

Does Sedation Dentistry Work?

Sedation dentistry can be applied from complex dental procedures to simple tooth cleaning. Sedation dentistry drugs surely help patients to relax and get rid of their fear regarding dental treatments. Conscious oral sedation definitely works but you should consult with your dentist regarding the best sedation dentistry drug given your needs.

Can You Eat Before Sedation Dentistry?

Eating before sedation dentistry is a big no. You cannot have any solid or semi-solid food for six hours before the dental procedure. In case of liquid, you can have it two hours before the procedure. This is because, after getting the sedation dentistry, the reflexes of your body temporarily stop. This means that if the stomach has food or any liquid, the digestion will also stop, which will make you vomit or have your food stuck in the throat.

Can You Drive After Sedation Dentistry?

Driving after sedation depends on the sedation dentistry drug. It also depends on the person’s body responsiveness for losing the effect of sedation. The only form of sedation where the person can drive himself home is the laughing gas. In other cases of sedations, the patient should not drive.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

Sedation dentistry is usually considered safe for patients. There are no risks if the sedation dentistry drug is given by an experienced dentist who has an ample sedation dentistry experience, but people suffering from obesity and obstructive sleep apnea should consult their dentist before receiving sedation dentistry as it can harm their health.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe While Pregnant?

Sedation is generally considered safe during pregnancy. People think that the sedation will harm the baby but it is not the case. You can also get anesthesia if necessary but the dentist should be informed about the pregnancy before the treatment. It is important to take care of your dental health during pregnancy.

Is Sedation Dentistry Expensive?

The charges of sedation dentistry depend upon the amount of time taken by the treatment. The cost varies with the type of sedation dentistry drug used by the dentist. It can be calculated considering your individual insurance coverage, dentist, and geographic location. The average sedation cost ranges between $200 and $300. So, always try to find this query of ‘’sedation dentistry near me’’ to get the top offers from your area.

Is Sedation Dentistry Covered by Dental Insurance?

It is important to consult with your dental insurance before considering sedation dentistry as it may or may not be included in your insurance plan. General anesthesia may be covered by dental insurance plans due to its medical necessity. Several policies are limited to a specific cost such as the fee for the dental treatment, plus the cost of the sedation.

Millions of people visit dentists and get treated for various ailments. The safety and health of the dentist is also compromised during complex dental procedures. It is essential that you should take care of your health given your  individual responsibility as a patient.

If you are unable to have a costly treatment, do not neglect your oral health and instead discuss the problem with your dentist and choose an inexpensive sedation dentistry drug. Ignoring your health means creating a greater health risk.