Dental Sedation—Is Sedation Before a Dental Procedure Necessary and Safe?

Yes, dental sedation is safe, but not necessary unless you have dental phobia or anxiety. Dental phobia is characterized by an excessive fear of any form of dental work, which can manifest itself in avoidance behaviors, such as not visiting the dentist for check-ups or treatments. Dental phobia is also sometimes accompanied by panic attacks and feelings of breathlessness. It can be difficult to overcome because many people with this condition have had negative experiences with dentists in the past – for example, they might have had pain during their treatment.

While it is understandable to have a phobia, avoiding the dental office can be detrimental to your oral health. That is why we offer sedation dentistry in Edmonton, AB.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is a technique used during dental procedures to keep patients calm and relaxed. The dentist may administer mild to deep sedatives to the patient before the dental work begins. Sedation not only relaxes you but allows the dentists to complete their work more quickly, which provides better overall results.

While there are different forms of sedation dentistry, we offer Intravenous dental sedation.

IV sedation uses various medications administered intravenously to induce a relaxed state during dental treatment. You will be sedated but will not lose consciousness and can breathe on your own.

One of the benefits of getting IV Sedation dentistry near you is that you will not incur any pain from the procedure and often have no memory of it afterward.

What is the Difference Between Conscious and Unconscious Sedation?

Conscious sedation is the use of a sedative drug to produce a state of controlled sleep or anesthesia. You remain awake and can even respond to questions from the dentist, as well as commands from the anesthesiologist. IV sedation is one of the conscious sedation. The others include oral and inhaled dental sedation.

Unconscious sedation is induced by drugs that depress the central nervous system. You will experience a loss of awareness or consciousness and might need medication to reduce the effects of the sedatives.

Dental Sedation Vs. Anesthesia; What is the Difference Between Them?

Sedation dentistry is the administration of medication to make the patient feel calm and comfortable. The medications can be administered via injection, pill, or inhaler.

Anesthesia is the process of killing pain by blocking nerve impulses, and it comes in two options–local and general. Local anesthesia blocks pain to a specific area of the body, while general anesthesia induces unconsciousness for surgery or other procedures.

In most cases, your dentist near you will use both local anesthesia and dental sedation during a procedure.

What are the Benefits of Intravenous Sedation for Dental Procedures?

Your dentist’s primary goal is to not only improve oral health but also keep you in a state of comfort. This is where intravenous sedation comes in. Intravenous sedation provides many benefits including, reducing anxiety and pain. It also makes it easy for the dentist to take care of multiple procedures in one visit.

How Long Does It Take for IV Sedation to Wear Out?

It depends on the type, how much medication has been administered, and your weight and age.

It usually takes about 30 minutes to begin to wake up, but it can take a couple of hours for the sedatives to wear off fully.

After dental sedation, there are a few things that you may experience. For example, you may have difficulty breathing for a short time. It is important to avoid driving or any other activities that require you to be alert. Also, avoid eating solid foods until they have had something to drink and feel better.

What are the Risks of Intravenous Sedations for Dental Procedures?

The most common side effects of intravenous sedation are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, grogginess, and fatigue. Our dentist in SW Edmonton will monitor you closely to avoid these risks.

Is Intravenous Sedation Dentistry Right for You?

If you fear needles or dental work in general, then IV sedation dentistry might be the perfect option for you. Research has shown that sedation dentistry is a safe and effective way of treating anxiety in dental patients.

Visit Ellerslie Dental Clinic for more information about Intravenous sedation and if it is a good option for you.

Along with dental plans from employers’ insurance, we also accept plans from the government, unions, retirement benefits, and stand-alone plans.

Accept All Major Insurances