Oral Sedation Dentistry Tips

GiddyGiddyGoin asked:

Obviously, I KNOW the I.V. is a needle and oral is a pill, but what is the difference as far as effect? I have had IV sedation before and I was totally out. I will be getting oral medication next week. I am concerned I will feel/remember everything!! Anyone have input? Thanks!!
I am having 2 teeth pulled and some fillings done.
Am I going to FEEL anything?? I’m scared!!!

Miss S asked:

About a month ago I posted a question about dental phobia. Being that I’m extremely scared to get the numbing shot for my cavities… my mom recently found an ad for a dentist who offers oral sedation from a pill. I’ve never heard of this so I was wondering if anyone has had an experience with this…

Precious Pisces asked:

I know that I may have to some cavities filled even maybe a root canal. However, I’m terrified of needles. It just seem so unnatural to be injected in the mouth. So I’m looking for a dentist that performs oral sedation. I just hope I don’t feel a thing.
I mean the pill.

Feeling pain is one thing that almost all people would not want to experience. Just like any other fear, it is something that people would always like to avoid or completely get rid of. Now something that is often associated with pain is a trip to the dentist. Having your teeth drilled, excavated, or pulled out is not exactly the best feeling in the world, far from it to be exact. That is why people frequently put off regular visits to the dentist or completely cancel appointments even if a dental procedure is much needed. Some even let a good number of years pass by before convincing themselves to pay their dentist a visit. Numerous measures and treatments have been created and developed over years to help people avoid this unpleasant and unwanted feeling. And fortunately, in the field of dentistry, oral sedations were introduced to lessen the anxiety and discomfort during trips to the dentist. But this practice can’t just be carried out right away; the dentist must have the right knowledge and training before they can get the license and permit to administer oral sedations to their patients. For A New York sedation dentist, a number of requirements must be first met before he is allowed to perform the said procedure.

Of course, the first requirement is that you would have to be a licensed dentist of the New York State. You should also be registered and should currently be in practice of the profession. In addition, further education and training would be required. For those wanting to practice Dental General Anesthesia (includes general anesthesia, deep sedation or conscious sedation), additional education means completing a post-doctoral course in anesthesia of at least two years or an oral and maxillofacial surgery graduate program. Each should be recognized by an acceptable accrediting body. A complete course in Advanced Cardiac Life Support would also be needed as fulfillment to be a New York sedation dentist.

For those who are interested in practicing Dental Parenteral Conscious Sedation or sedation limited to the parenteral or enteral course that can include the use of inhalation agents, a post-doctoral education is also required. This would have to be recognized by the Department or, again, by an acceptable accrediting body. A training of 60 hours and additional experience of successful administration of parenteral conscious sedation to no less than 20 patients in the clinic would also be necessary. And just like in Dental General Anesthesia, a complete course in Advanced Cardiac Life Support would be also mandatory.

On the other hand, for a New York sedation dentist to get a certificate for Dental Enteral Conscious Sedation (sedation done in the enteral course that can include the use of inhalation agents), a completion of either of the following is needed: A recognized pre-doctoral or post-doctoral degree by an acceptable accrediting body that consists of a specialty program or residency OR a post-doctoral coursework recognized by the Department or equal to one that is approved by an acceptable accrediting body. Either coursework should include Basic Life Support education and extra 18 hours of emergency management training among other things.

For many people, going to the dentist can be an intimidating and frightening experience. Some even forgo dental procedures altogether because of fear. Regrettably, this can lead to large cosmetic and oral health issues. Fortunately, some dentists are now able to provide options for the anxiety-ridden to help them have a pain-free dental experience. With sedation dentistry your cosmetic dentist can offer you peace of mind.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is a term used to describe a method in which a trained sedation dentist will use one of a variety of sedation techniques to relax a patient before and during a dental procedure.

Oral Sedation

The use of an oral sedative during a dental procedure is extremely common among sedation dentists. In general, you will take your prescribed sedative (commonly Valium) about an hour before your appointment. During your procedure, you will be conscious but very relaxed and drowsy. It will be necessary for you to arrange transportation to and from the dentist’s office because the drug’s effects take a while to wear off.

Nitrous Oxide

You and your dentist may decide that nitrous oxide is the best sedation option for you. If this is the case, you will be asked to breathe through a mask that will give you a regulated amount of nitrous oxide during your procedure. The gas has similar effects to oral sedatives, however the effects only last a few minutes after you stop its use. For this reason, you will likely be able to drive home after your procedure.

IV Sedation

Intravenous sedation was the predominant method of sedation in the past and is still an effective method of sedation; however, many patients today prefer “no needle” sedation.

What is Sleep Dentistry?

Sleep dentistry is often mistaken for sedation dentistry because patients generally become drowsy and might fall asleep during a sedation procedure, but sleep dentistry is actually entirely different. Sleep dentistry is a procedure performed under general anesthesia. With general anesthesia you will be fully unconscious and not easily roused. During any procedure with general anesthesia, you must be constantly monitored to ensure your breathing and heart rate are normal.

Dentists generally perform sedation dentistry because it is much safer than the sleep alternative.

If you have a high level of dental anxiety, you may find it difficult to get to the dentist for routine treatment, and the thought of even the most routine cosmetic dental treatment, such as tooth whitening, may cause you fits and sweats. But you can overcome your anxiety and get the dental treatment you need and desire with sedation dentistry. But if you are considering sedation dentistry, you should know your options so you can pick a cosmetic dentist that offers the one best for you.

Oral Sedation

Oral sedation is the easiest form of sedation dentistry, and therefore the most commonly available. You will be given a pill, usually a prescription sleeping pill, that will help you relax during the procedure. You normally take the pill about an hour before you go to the office, so that by the time you arrive, full relaxation has set in. The advantages of this form of sedation are:

• It is relatively inexpensive

• You will be relaxed before you come to the dentist, reducing the likelihood that you will bug out at the last minute

Gaseous Sedation

Nitrous oxide (NO2, also known as “laughing gas”) is one of the oldest available methods of sedation dentistry. Nitrous oxide produces an alert, euphoric state accompanied by numbness. The advantages of gaseous sedation are:

• Sedation can start quickly and last as long as necessary

• Precise sedation, since your body processes nitrous oxide quickly

Anesthesiologist-controlled IV Sedation

In IV sedation, an anesthesiologist will intravenously administer a solution containing sedatives. The anesthesiologist will target a particular concentration of sedative, which must be reached before the procedure is begun. The advantages to this procedure are:

• The sedation can be quickly tailored to alterations in the patient’s state of consciousness

• Sedation can be continued as long as necessary for the procedure

Patient-controlled IV Sedation

In this variation of IV sedation, the patient is given the ability to increase his or her dose depending on his or her anxiety level. Although some think this may lead to an increased risk of overdose, studies have shown that this is not the case. There is no additional risk of complications in patient-controlled sedation as compared to anesthesiologist-controlled sedation. The advantages of patient-controlled sedation are:

• Actually uses less sedative than anesthesiologist-controlled sedation

• Gives patients control over their fears

• More popular among patients

For help overcoming your dental anxiety, there is no better option than sedation dentistry, as long as you choose the variety of sedation dentistry best suited to you.

It’s an old cliché that visiting the dentist is a nerve-wracking thing, a justified cause of apprehension. Over the ages, this has been true, if you remember that dentistry was done by your local barber, who used giant pincers to remove a tooth past saving, or used a string tied to a door handle and slammed the door.

And if we note that anesthetics were not developed until the 19th century, we can understand how this cliché came into being. Even our grandparents had some justification for being anxious about dental visits, in those years when dentists had relatively crude instruments such as slow-speed drills and large needles.

Well, we don’t mean to wake up your dental anxiety here. We are going to try and persuade you that there’s no cause for it any more. Not that you can press a button and presto! It’s gone from your psyche. But you can simply ask for a sedative.

A modern cosmetic dentist has been thoroughly trained in making patients comfortable. If you choose a cosmetic dentist who has graduated from the Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies (LVI), you will be gently and courteously treated. Your dental work will be done using the latest and best dental technology, based on lasers and computers. There will be virtually no discomfort, and if you do feel any, mention it to your cosmetic dentist, and he or she will immediately do something to mitigate it.

A Welcoming Environment to Set the Stage

From the moment you enter an LVI-trained dentist’s office, you will be welcomed. The team will be friendly and well-trained, and will be getting on well with each other. The top priority in the office will be your comfort and satisfaction. There will be no long, boring wait before you’re ushered to your dental chair, because the dentist will be well-organized and fully on top of his job. The rooms will be attractively decorated with colors, plants, artwork, and comfortable chairs. Magazines, if you want to read any while waiting for a family member, will be up-to-date.

You will be offered many amenities (varying with each particular dentist), such as:

• A refreshment bar – teas, coffee, snacks, bottled water

• A paraffin wax hand treatment – very soothing and pampering

• Pillows and blankets

• Headphones for music or movies

• Pre-numbing of the gums before local anesthetic is given

• Extra anesthetic if you feel any slight discomfort after the dentist begins work

• A special device to hold the mouth open at the right height, saving your jaw muscles from that fatigue

Oral Sedation

Before you have any dental work done, you will be given an oral medication. It will give you a relaxed and peaceful feeling, banishing your anxiety or apprehension. When combined with well-administered local anesthetic, it will make your whole dental visit calm – and you will need someone to drive you home afterwards.

Sometimes there is confusion between sedation dentistry and sleep dentistry. They are not at all the same thing. Sleep dentistry uses general anesthesia, and does what it sounds like – puts you entirely to sleep. It is is what you would have in a hospital, for surgery. It is rarely offered by dentists, as it isn’t necessary. Also, it requires a specially-trained nurse-anestheticist or medical anesthesiologist to calibrate your dosage, administer it, monitor your vital signs while the dentist works, and determine when you are awake and alert enough to go home.

Sedation dentistry gives oral medication to relax you. When you are relaxed, your cosmetic dentist can work more quickly and probably do several procedures in one visit which might have taken several visits otherwise. That could save you some time and money.

Recent research has indicated that the number one reason adults postpone needed dental care is fear. Unfortunately, this can result in dental decay and periodontal disease.

Sedation dentistry can alleviate your fears by putting you in a calm, relaxed state so that you can have a safe, effective and, yes, even pleasant, dental experience.

Are you a candidate for sedation dentistry?

You may be a candidate for sedation dentistry if you have any of the following:

· Fear of dentists or dental treatment

· History of traumatic dental experiences

· Difficulty getting numb

· Sensitive gag reflex or difficulty opening mouth wide

· Extremely sensitive teeth

· Limited time to get your dental care completed

· Complicated dental problems or a need for oral surgery

· In denial of a dental problem until the pain is unbearable

· Hate noises and smells associated with dental offices

· Have not received professional dental care in several years

· Often make and then cancel dental appointments

· Experience sweaty palms or find yourself gripping the armrests when in the dental chair

What type of sedation dentistry is available?

There are generally three types of sedation dentistry:

· Conscious sedation which involves the use of nitrous oxide, or laughing gas

· Oral sedation which involves taking a pill to help control anxiety

· IV sedation which is the deepest of all three and involves the administration of sedatives intravenously

An experienced cosmetic dentist will be comfortable working with any of these sedation dentistry methods

How does sedation work?

With safe and proven techniques, patients receive sedative drugs which work rapidly to create a calm and relaxed state that is maintained and monitored throughout your dental treatment.

What are the benefits of sedation dentistry?

With sedation dentistry, you can relax through your dental appointment and leave refreshed, with little or no memory of the experience. Complex and lengthy dental treatments that require multiple appointments can often be completed in as little as one or two visits.