Sedation Dentistry
How Does Sedation Dentistry Work?
Sedation dentistry uses controlled amounts of sedatives to help patients relax during dental procedures. Dentists use techniques like nitrous oxide sedation, IV sedation, and oral conscious sedation to manage patient’s dental anxiety thus ensuring seamless dental procedures. The type and dosage of sedation used depend on the length and complexity of the treatment. Sedation dentistry is safe for patients of all ages.
Evaluation and Sedation Technique Selection
The process kicks off with a comprehensive evaluation of your dental condition and medical history with your Pittsburgh dentist. Patients with hypertension, COPD, and liver conditions may not qualify for dental sedation. If you qualify, the dentist will select the sedation technique based on age, the dental procedure, and medical history. The dentist will then issue pre-sedation instructions before proceeding to the next.
Sedation Procedure
The dentist will administer sedation as per standard procedure. For example, nitrous oxide involves wearing a gas mask and inhaling laughing gas. For oral conscious sedation, the dentist will ask you to take a sedative pill or syrup 30 minutes before the procedure. For IV sedation, they’ll inject an IV drip into your arm and administer the sedative directly to your bloodstream.
Monitoring Your Vitals and Treatment
The dentist will then proceed with the treatment while keeping a keen eye on your vitals to ensure your safety and comfort. The vitals in question are your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. After treatment, the dentist will instruct you to care for yourself until the sedation wears off.
Discover The Difference
Changing Smiles, Changing Lives
Veneers
Dr. Yousef started with bite therapy and then went into study models, provisional staging, and then finals. The results? A beautiful new smile with veneers for this awesome patient!
Implants
To restore this patient's smile back to its true form, Dr. Yousef placed several implants. Dr. Yousef then completed mounted models as well as provisional crowns and final crowns.
Crowns and Bridges
Dr. Johnson placed 6 upper anterior crowns, completely restoring this patient's severely decayed and broken smile.
Snap-In Dentures
This patient came to Dr. Johnson with an upper partial and a variety of ill fitting and failing crowns. A set of snap-in dentures on the patient's upper arch restored their health to its peak form.
Snap-In Dentures
Broken and missing teeth kept this patient from smiling with confidence. Dr. Johnson was able to renew the natural form and function of their smile with a set of snap-in denutres on their upper arch.
Snap-In Dentures
Before coming to our office, this patient struggled with failing teeth, recession, and bone loss. With a set of upper and lower snap-in dentures, Dr. Johnson was able to completley restore their smile.Before coming to our office, this patient struggled with failing teeth, recession, and bone loss. With a set of upper and lower snap-in dentures, Dr. Johnson was able to completley restore their smile.
Frequently Asked Questions
The dentist will then proceed with the treatment while keeping a keen eye on your vitals to ensure your safety and comfort. The vitals in question are your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation. After treatment, the dentist will instruct you to care for yourself until the sedation wears off.
Anyone can be a candidate for dental sedation, but it’s especially ideal for patients with chronic dental anxiety. Sedation is also useful for those with sensitive gag reflexes since it relaxes the muscles responsible for gaging allowing the dentist to work without disruption. It’s also beneficial for patients with conditions that render them unable to sit still.
While sedation might dampen nerve sensitivity, it’s not enough to guarantee painless procedures. Most dentists use sedation in combination with anesthesia. Sedation keeps the patient calm and relaxed while anesthesia blocks signals from the nerves to the brain to ensure treatment is smooth and painless.
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