We understand that not everyone loves to visit the dentist, but for some patients, the thought of getting in the dentist’s chair can cause enough anxiety that they avoid getting the care they need.
To help ensure every patient leaves our office smiling, Shawnessy Dental is pleased to offer sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry involves using mild to moderate sedatives to reduce patient anxiety. This allows anxious patients to relax during dental procedures that would normally cause them severe emotional distress.
Shawnessy dental offers minimum and moderate sedation, as well as a local anesthetic. Regardless of whether you receive minimal or moderate sedation, you will also likely be treated with a local anesthetic. A local anesthetic is used to numb the site where your dentist is working and relieves pain if the procedure in question may cause you discomfort.
While most dental practices offer local anesthetic and minimal sedation, only specially trained dentists can provide moderate sedation. Dentists in Alberta are no longer legally allowed to provide deep sedation.
Minimal sedation allows the patient to relax but doesn’t put them to sleep. Minimal sedation can include the use of nitrous oxide (also called laughing gas) or oral sedation which will make you pleasantly drowsy.
Nitrous oxide typically wears off quickly, so your dentist will provide you with a steady yet carefully controlled supply during your procedure. If your dentist provides you with an oral sedative, you will be instructed to take your pill roughly one hour before your procedure.
While you may be able to safely drive yourself home after receiving nitrous oxide, you should arrange for someone else to drive you home if you consume an oral sedative. Your dental team will review your particular situation with you, and provide you with personalized instructions, before your sedation dentistry appointment.
Moderate sedation can be administered either orally or using an IV. Moderate sedation is similar to minimal oral sedation; it simply involves prescribing a larger dose. Oral sedation needs to be digested before it can take effect, while sedatives delivered via IV tend to work more quickly since the medication is delivered directly to your bloodstream.
IV sedation allows your dentist to fine-tune your dose as necessary during your procedure, allowing them to carefully control how much sedative you are given. Moderate sedation may make you drowsy enough to nod off during your procedure, but your sleep will be light enough that a gentle shake will wake you.
While sedation dentistry is generally aimed at patients with severe enough dental-related anxiety that they avoid necessary cleanings, exams, and procedures, other patients can also benefit from sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry may be a good option for patients who:
Patients with obstructive sleep apnea or who are obese should speak to their family doctor and their dentist before considering sedation dentistry because they have a higher chance of developing complications.
Children who are terrified of the dentist may also benefit from sedation dentistry, but parents should consult both their pediatrician and their child’s dentist before making a decision.
Sedation dentistry isn’t suitable for everyone. For more information about sedation dentistry, and whether or not you might benefit from it, please speak to your dentist during your next appointment.
We are conveniently located on Shawville Boulevard, between Lowe’s and Canadian Tire.
Shawnessy Dental Centre
