Conscious Sedation Dentistry
In order to make your treatment a more relaxing
experience, we offer nitrous oxide and oral medications for sedation. Talk
to us about this added service.
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Conscious Sedation
What is it?
Conscious
Sedation is
defined as a minimally depressed level of consciousness that retains the
patient's ability to independently and continuously maintain an airway
and respond appropriately to physical stimulation and verbal command and
that is produced by medications provided in our office.
Sedation Dentistry, sometimes called Relaxation Dentistry, refers
to the way we manage Pain and Anxiety during dental appointments.
Unlike General Anesthesia where a patient is completely
unconscious, asleep, and unable to respond, patients under
Conscious Sedation, are able to respond to commands and breath on their
own.
What are my options?
The two most common types of Sedation Dentistry used by
General and Restorative Dentists who utilize sedation are used in our
office. These are:
Inhalation Sedation
Inhalation
Sedation
Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation also
known as "laughing gas". This is the most frequently used sedation
method used in dentistry. All bodily functions remain normal and the
person is able to breathe on their own. The patient will often fall
asleep and experience some degree of amnesia about what happened during
their dental appointment. Inhalation Sedation has been used my dentists
for many years.
Advantages or Dental Inhalation Sedation:
- Works well for mild to moderate anxiety
- Rapid Onset
- Flexible duration can be used for any appointment length
- Absolute Control. It is easy to quickly control the level of
sedation which may be altered moment to moment.
- People recover quickly
- Very few side effects
- There is an analgesic effect
- You can drive yourself to and from your dental appointment
- You can return to normal activities immediately
Disadvantages of Dental Inhalation Sedation:
- Severe anxiety may require a deeper level of sedation
Not indicated for people who have respiratory problems
(Asthma and Emphysema)
Claustrophobic patients do not like anything covering their
nose
What medications are used for Dental Inhalation Sedation?
- Nitrous Oxide (N2O)
- Oxygen (O2)
Oral Conscious Sedation
This Oral Medication used for
Oral Conscious
Sedation in dentistry are from a group of drugs known as Benzodiazapines.
Not only do these medications have a sedative effect they also have some
degree of amnesic
effect for most people. Patients remember little or nothing about their
dental appointment.
Advantages to Dental Oral Sedation:
- Easy to administer: Swallow a small pill
- It is safe and easy to monitor
- Works well for most people
- Low Cost
Disadvantages of Dental Oral Sedation:
- The level of Sedation is not easily changed
Someone
must drive you to and from your dental appointment
There is no analgesic
(pain relief
effect)
What medications are used for Dental Oral Sedation?
- The most common medication
is Halcion (triazolam). Halcion provides a deep level of relaxation
and amnesia effect.
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