About 20% of adults are afraid of going to the dentist. But you shouldn’t let fear stop you from taking care of your teeth. Today’s dental care focuses on making sure patients are comfortable, so you can feel more relaxed during your visit.
Sedation dentistry uses special medicine to help you feel calm during dental treatments. This is different from anesthesia, which helps prevent pain. These two treatments can work together to make sure you have a good experience at the dentist. Here’s how they compare.
Local Anesthetics
Many people are afraid of the dentist because they worry about feeling pain. Dentists use local anesthetics to numb the area where they will be working so you don’t feel discomfort. This type of numbing is considered mild sedation.
The dentist will give you a shot of anesthetic in your mouth, blocking the nerves from sending pain signals to your brain. For added comfort, they might first apply a numbing gel to the area before giving the shot.
Local anesthetics are used for common procedures like fillings. The numb feeling usually lasts a few hours and wears off slowly after you leave the office. You can go back to your normal activities after, but be careful not to bite your lip or cheek while you’re still numb.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia is a deeper form of sedation that puts you to sleep during dental work. It’s given through an IV and will make you unconscious, so you won’t feel or remember anything. When the anesthesiologist stops the IV drip, you’ll wake up, but may feel a bit out of it for the rest of the day.
This type of sedation is usually only for bigger procedures like dental implants or for patients with extreme anxiety.
Sedation Dentistry Options
While local anesthesia focuses on preventing pain, sedation dentistry is all about easing dental anxiety and helping you feel calm during your visit. Depending on your needs, your dentist can offer a few different options to make your experience more comfortable.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide, often called laughing gas, is one of the most popular sedation methods. You breathe it in through a small mask placed over your nose. It creates a sense of relaxation without putting you to sleep. You’ll still be awake and aware, but you’ll feel calm and less anxious.
One of the biggest benefits is that the effects wear off almost immediately after the mask is removed. This means you can drive yourself home and get back to your regular activities right away.
Oral Sedation
For patients with a bit more anxiety, oral sedation might be a better choice. Your dentist will prescribe a pill for you to take before your appointment. This pill will help you relax and may even make you feel drowsy. Depending on the dosage, some patients might fall asleep during their dental work.
Oral sedation is great for longer procedures or if you need more than one treatment done in a single visit. Afterward, you’ll feel groggy, so it’s important to have someone with you to drive you home.
IV Sedation
For those with severe dental anxiety or undergoing more complex procedures, IV sedation might be used. An IV delivers the sedative directly into your bloodstream, which allows the dentist to adjust the dosage during the procedure.
This method works quickly and offers a deeper level of sedation. Patients typically don’t remember much from their appointment and often feel like time passed quickly. After the treatment, you’ll need some time to rest, and you won’t be able to drive yourself home.
Choosing the Right Option for You
Your dentist will talk with you about your anxiety levels, the type of procedure you’re having, and your overall health before recommending the best sedation option for you. Whether you just need a little help staying calm or a deeper sedation for more complex treatments, there’s an option that can make your visit much easier. With sedation dentistry, even patients who once avoided the dentist can feel more comfortable getting the care they need.
If dental anxiety has kept you from regular check-ups or treatments, ask your dentist about these options. They can make a big difference in how you feel during your visit and help ensure your teeth and gums stay healthy.