Understanding Sedation Dentistry and Medication Options

Medications used during sedation dentistry provide patients with a more positive treatment experience. Patients of all ages can benefit from the comfort, relaxation and forgetfulness provided by anti-anxiety medications.

Sedation options include oral, nitrous oxide and intravenous sedation. MINT dentistry offers these sedation methods so you can relax and achieve sexy teeth.

Oral Conscious Sedation

The most common sedation dentistry Louisville KY method used in dental offices is oral conscious sedation (OCS). It involves taking a pill—typically Halcion, a member of the Valium family of drugs—an hour before your appointment. The drug will make you drowsy but will not put you to sleep. You will remain awake but relaxed, with a feeling of not caring about what’s going on during your visit.
Oral sedation reduces anxiety and eliminates the need to force yourself through treatment when you are anxious, fearful, or nervous. It allows patients to complete dental procedures that would otherwise be impossible or unpleasant.

It also blocks out the memory of the treatment, making it much easier to remember a trip to the dentist as simply “a routine cleaning.” Patients who undergo OCS may feel groggy or forgetful for a few hours afterward, but these effects are not dangerous and should subside quickly. This is a great option for people who have a strong gag reflex or need extensive dental work.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous Oxide, sometimes referred to as laughing gas, is a safe and effective option for patients who want to relax during treatment. It is administered through a small mask that fits over the nose. Unlike other sedation dentistry Louisville KY options, it doesn’t make you fall asleep; you’ll remain awake and can respond to any requests or directions your dentist may have.

Nitrous oxide is a colorless, non-irritating gas that has a pleasant and slightly sweet smell and taste. It is used in dentistry and surgery to reduce anxiety and facilitate relaxation. It is mixed with oxygen for optimal safety and turned off as treatment comes to an end.

Oral conscious sedation is a great option for those with dental anxiety or who need a deeper level of sedation than laughing gas provides. It is ingested in pill form before the procedure and is designed to induce drowsiness and calmness during treatment. It can also be combined with propofol to decrease the amount of propofol needed for induction and maintenance.

IV Sedation

The next step up from oral conscious sedation, IV sedation puts you in a dream-like state while still allowing you to breathe on your own. It is the most powerful form of sedation available in a dental office and can be used to control pain and anxiety during lengthy procedures, such as full mouth reconstructions or gum surgery.

With this type of sedation, the dentist places a small needle in a vein (typically in the arm) and delivers the sedative directly into the bloodstream. This allows for more controlled drowsiness than oral conscious sedation and eliminates the need to take multiple pills. It is recommended that patients with this procedure arrive at the dental office with a trusted friend or family member to drive them home afterward, as they may be groggy and have impaired memory of their visit.

You should drink a lot of liquids after undergoing IV sedation, especially water, but avoid dairy products. You may also experience nausea or vomiting, so it is important to follow the instructions of your doctor for managing these symptoms.

Cosmetic Dentistry

Sedation dentistry enables patients with dental anxiety and phobia to overcome their fears and receive the necessary care for healthy teeth and gums. It is especially useful for children who cannot sit still or have physical or cognitive disabilities and for older adults who struggle with fear or dread visiting the dentist.

Oral sedation, also known as conscious sedation, is the most common form of sedation used in dentistry. With this method, the patient takes an oral medication before their appointment and will feel relaxed and drowsy. They will not fall asleep, but they will remember little of the procedure afterward.

Nitrous oxide, which is commonly referred to as “laughing gas,” is another option for sedation. It is breathed through a mask over the nose and helps to create feelings of euphoria and relaxation in kids who require mild sedation. This type of sedation does not alleviate pain very well. IV sedation is the most potent and used for more involved or complex procedures.