Learn About The Types of Dental Sedation

Did you know that up to 16% of the Canadian population experience extreme dental anxiety and fear? Additionally, up to 7% of those surveyed purposely missed a dental appointment due to paralyzing fear.

Understandably, visiting the dentist is not at the top of everyone’s list for pleasant experiences. In the past, dental treatments were significantly more painful than they are now. Thanks to technological advancements in the dental industry, once painful treatments are now done with minimal discomfort and are virtually painless. Still, some patients need a little help to ensure a more smooth and comfortable procedure.

If you’re feeling some anxiety about treatment, speak to your dentist about sedation options available to you. Dental sedation is safe with minimal risks and is administered by trained and certified dentists.

What to expect with dental sedation

When discussing dental sedation, your dental team will ask about your health history, any current medications you’re taking, and discuss your options. Depending on the type of sedation, you will need a family member or friend to drive you to and from your appointment. Some patients may need to be hooked up to monitors during treatment so the dental team can keep a close eye on heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Different types of dental sedation

At Cambrian Dental, we offer the following types of sedation:

• Laughing Gas (Nitrous Oxide) - The gas is administered through a mask placed over your nose. The effects take place anywhere between 30 seconds to 4 minutes. Patients under laughing gas report a light feeling and some tingling throughout the body causes some to react with laughter. Laughing gas may be used alone or combined with oral sedation. Once the procedure is done, we will wait until the effect wears off (typically about 5 minutes) before we release you to drive home.
• Oral Sedation - During oral sedation (also referred to as conscious sedation), patients are awake but remember little or nothing. The sedative is taken as a pill, usually an hour before the procedure. As the sedation starts to kick in, patients will feel sleepy which lingers for about 24 hours. The dental team will confirm that you have someone drive you to and from the appointment and will not allow you to drive home for your safety.
• IV Sedation - IV sedation is much like oral sedation with the difference being that it is administered through the veins. It is another form of oral sedation that requires someone to drive you to and from the dental office. At Cambrian dental, we numb the injection site with cream before administering the IV so patients can feel as comfortable as possible.

It’s important to note that not everyone is a candidate for some dental sedation procedures. However, a good dental team will continue to work with you to help you relax during treatment. Cambrian Dental is here to provide the best dental sedation options for you. Contact us today to request an appointment.