THE USE OF SEDATION IN DENTISTRY

What is sedation?

Sedation is used as a way to keep patients relaxed during procedures when anesthetic is not enough, and will sometimes put them to sleep. Reassuring patients and relieving pain during a procedure is important so that dentists can work safely.

This method of pain control is used for procedures such as general dentistry, minor surgeries, extractions, implants and sometimes periodontal cleanings. Sometimes an analgesic medication is used alongside sedation. This is used to increase pain relief during procedures.

Administered through an IV in a vein, sedation and analgesics will have different effects depending on how much is given for the procedure. Breathing may slow and, sometimes, oxygen will be given to the patient. Both medications can make the patient more drowsy.

How does it work?

A benefit to sedation and analgesics over local anesthesia is that the side effects afterwards, drowsiness and unsteadiness, don’t last as long. The patient typically wakes up right away once the medication stops and can head home a lot sooner.

Determining what type and how much sedation, analgesics, and anesthesia a patient will need for a procedure depends on their age, health and medical condition.

Minor sedation calms the patient and they stay awake. Commonly used so that the patient can help during the procedure and answer the dentist’s questions. With a higher amount of sedation, the patient will most likely fall asleep and remember little, if anything at all.

Moderate and deep sedation are normally administered through an I.V. With a deeper sedation, the patient will have a weaker level of awareness and will need to be stimulated to come out of the sedative state. They will typically have no memory of the procedure.

For more information about sedation, analgesics, and any procedures you may need, don’t hesitate to call Summerland Dental Centre to book a consultation with one of our doctors to discuss your dental needs.