The city of Englewood in Colorado is well-known for its small-town charm. As people come and go, they tend to forget that a smile is the most charming thing around. Many people have experienced traumatic visits to the dentist. They get sweaty palms, stomach pain, and other symptoms because of dental anxiety. Because of this common problem, dental health has declined. Luckily, there are specific solutions to this problem, and sedation dentistry is a popular choice.

If you are suffering from dental anxiety, but you need to get your teeth checked out, sedation dentistry is a highly recommended option for you. Although most dentists are qualified to use nitrous oxide, other types of sedation require additional training. Some also need to provide equipment and sufficient emergency supplies. Dentists also have to look out for side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, and hyperactivity, when you are going to undergo sedation dentistry.

Learn More About Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is the process of providing prescription drugs to the patient to perform dental procedures on them. The medication is given specific levels depending on the severity of the patient’s anxiety and the amount of dental work to be done. For example, if the patient undergoes a simple check-up, the lightest type of sedation will suffice. But, if the patient is supposed to undergo a long dental treatment, then a heavier level of sedation will be needed to help them remain calm.

Different people require different levels when they are undergoing sedation dentistry, and it depends on their condition. The dental experts in Englewood, CO, are thoroughly practiced with this procedure. Minimal sedation, from the term itself, uses a small amount of medication to help the patient relax. Dentists use it for short-term procedures. The patient remains awake but feels a sense of calm because of the drug. Then there is moderate sedation, using a medium dosage. It is recommended if minimal sedation is not enough to help the patient relax. The patient may slur their words when speaking and forget the rest of the procedure.

Next is the deep sedation, for when the patient needs to undergo a more complicated procedure. They will feel drowsy and may remain on the edge of consciousness. But they may still be awakened if necessary. Lastly, general anesthesia is usually the last resort and commonly used when the previous levels of medication could not help the patient. The drug level used can result in unconsciousness. Thus, making it easier for the patient and the doctor to finish the dental procedure.

Find the Best Type of Sedation for You

Apart from different levels, different types of sedation are needed, depending on the patient’s need. Here are those medications:

• Inhaled Minimal Sedation

In this procedure, the dentist lets the patient breathe in nitrous oxide (also known as “laughing gas”) combined with oxygen through a mask. The gas helps them relax, and the dentist can control the amount of gas inhaled. The gas remains active for a short time, giving the patient the ability to still drive themself home after the procedure.

• Oral Sedation

Oral sedation can usually range from minimal to moderate, depending on the dosage used. The dentist gives a pill to the patient, which makes them feel dazed enough to fall asleep when the dental procedure starts. When finished, the dentist usually wakes the patient with a gentle shake.

• IV Moderate Sedation

IV or intravenous sedation is the process where the drug is injected into the patient’s vein, allowing the medication to work quicker. This method allows the dentist to adjust the level of sedation, depending on the patient’s need.

• Deep Sedation and General Anesthesia

This procedure will make the patient almost or entirely unconscious, sleeping throughout the entire dental process. If the patient is under general anesthesia, they cannot be easily awakened with gentle shakes or tap until the medication wears off. Sometimes, another drug is used to reverse the anesthesia’s effect. The patient will need a ride home.

Luckily, the dental experts in Englewood, CO, are equipped with the correct equipment and skills to provide the solutions for your dental needs. At Rippe Dental Associates, we believe that proper training is the key to helping our patients let their glowing smiles shine.