How Is Sedation Dentistry Performed? Steps The Treatment Involves
By: Didsbury Smiles Dental | February 13, 2025
Nearly 36% of people go through dental anxiety, but getting the care you require without feeling anxious or uncomfortable is possible with sedation dentistry. Sedation helps you unwind, remain composed, and leave the clinic with a healthier smile—whether it's a minor cleaning or a significant operation. However, how sedation dentistry is performed exactly? Let’s dig into the step-by-step approach and explore how sedation dentistry can alter your dental journey!
For Whom, Sedation Dentistry Is Advised?
Medications used in sedation dentistry help patients unwind while receiving dental procedures. It is frequently advised for people who:
- Have dental phobia or worry.
- Have a strong gag reflex.
- Need major dental work.
- Have a low pain threshold.
Now, depending on the patient's requirements, sedation ranges from gentle relaxation to profound unconsciousness.
Steps Involved While Performing This Dentistry
Consultation & Evaluation
The dentist performs a comprehensive consultation to choose the best sedation technique for you before giving it. This includes going over your medical history, assessing your anxiety, talking about allergies or existing prescriptions, and outlining your sedative choices.
Selecting The Appropriate Sedation Technique
Sedation dentistry comes in 4 main categories:
- Nitrous Oxide, sometimes known as ‘Laughing Gas,’ is a moderate sedative that you can breathe through a mask to help you unwind while being completely conscious.
- Oral Sedation is a medication administered to induce drowsiness prior to the treatment, such as Halcion.
- For a more profound level of relaxation, a potent sedative ‘IV sedation’ is injected.
- General anesthesia renders you totally unconscious throughout extensive dental procedures.
Getting Ready For The Procedure
You might have to follow certain pre-procedure instructions, depending on the sedation method you select.
Refrain from eating or drinking anything a few hours before the appointment. If you are getting IV or oral sedation, make arrangements for someone to drive you home. Dress comfortably and pay attention to any particular instructions the dentist gives you.
Giving Sedation and Beginning The Process
- Inhaled through a mask, nitrous oxide has short-lived effects.
- Taken an hour before the surgery, oral sedation makes one feel sleepy but alert.
- Intravenous Sedation, injectable into the bloodstream to induce instant relaxation.
- Anesthesiologists use general anesthesia to make patients fully unconscious.
- The dentist starts the procedure while keeping an eye on your vital signs as the anesthetic takes effect.
Healing and Support
The type of sedation decides the healing process.
- Nitrous oxide wears off quickly and enables you to return to your regular activities.
- Recovery from oral and intravenous sedation takes a few hours, while recovery from general anesthesia can take a whole day.
The post-treatment care instructions include drinking lots of water, skipping large meals for a few hours, resting and avoiding physically demanding activities and taking prescribed medicines as directed if needed.
A Relaxing Dental Journey
One’s dental exceptional can be completely changed by sedation dentistry, which makes it possible for you to get treatment in a relaxed and comfortable manner. The correct sedative technique can significantly improve any treatment, no matter how complicated or simple it is. Contact our dentist if you're thinking about sedation options for your upcoming appointment.
