Dental procedures can hurt, but the good news is that they don’t have to. In this situation comes anesthesia that can help numb your pain during the treatment, or sedation dentistry, which can put you in a completely calm and relaxing state.

Fearing pain during a procedure is quite normal because many get anxious at the thought of feeling pain. This is what the sedative is for. Want to know more? Let’s take a look.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry uses medications that can help the patient relax during the procedure to lessen any possible dangers caused by anxiety. The patients are usually awake during the operation, with exceptions to those that use general anesthesia.

Types Of Sedation Medication Used

There are many ways to numb yourself during an operation. The dentist will consider your health and age before deciding what type of numbing medication to use on you to prevent any possible dangers.

Topical Anesthetics

Topical anesthetics are applied using a sterile swab and are routinely applied to the area in the gums. This is given before the injection of a local anesthetic. Sometimes anesthesia needs more than one type of medication to use for dental procedures.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, also known as the laughing gas, is inhaled using a rubber face mask that helps the patient relax and is considered the most common form of sedation. The effects of the gas will wear off after the gas is turned off.

Intravenous Sedation

IV sedation is another form of sedation that helps the patient relax and is still conscious during the procedure. This will not make the patient sleep but will lower the awareness of the patient of their surroundings. This is also administered through the vein, unlike other forms of sedation.

General Anesthesia

General anesthesia is a sedative that induces a short-term coma, long enough to complete a dental procedure that takes longer than usual. This helps the patient that is anxious about the process that could possibly interfere with the procedure. You’ll also experience amnesia.

Does Sedation Dentistry Help Lessen The Pain?

Sedation dentistry can help make dental procedures less painful. There may be pain involved with dental procedures, but with the help of sedation dentistry, the dentist can help numb and eliminate the pain for a while for you.

Want To Know More About Sedation Dentistry?

Now that you know whether sedation dentistry helps lessen the pain during procedures, you should consult with your dentist more about your concerns and what option you would want to numb your pain.  

Wanting to have painless dental procedures is a normal thing. After all, if you could avoid feeling discomfort altogether, who wouldn’t choose that option for all sorts of procedures, right?

Visit your local dentist or head over to Jupiter Dentistry for more information. We have dentists that would gladly cater to your questions and concerns regarding sedation dentistry. Our team is always ready to provide the answers you’re looking for, so don’t hesitate to ask. Book an appointment now.

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