Sedation Dentistry

Sedation Dentistry at Riverside Dental

You have no recollection of the procedure when it comes to complex dental treatment like root canal therapy, tooth extractions, or oral surgery. Thanks to sedation dentistry, you have no idea how much time it took, the amount of pain, the noise, or the discomfort. 

What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry refers to using various medications to help patients relax or sleep during dental procedures. Sedation dentistry aims to make patients more comfortable and reduce anxiety during dental treatment.

There are several types of sedation used in dentistry, including:

• Inhaled Minimal Sedation: The patient inhales nitrous oxide (also known as laughing gas), which helps to relieve anxiety and discomfort.
• Oral Sedation: The patient takes a pill before the procedure, which helps to calm them and reduce their level of consciousness.
• IV Moderate Sedation: Medication is delivered through an IV to help the patient relax and become drowsy.
• Deep Sedation: The patient is semi-conscious and may not remember the procedure.

It’s important to note that a trained professional, such as a dentist or anesthesiologist, must administer sedation and monitor the patient’s vital signs during the procedure.

Who Needs Sedation Dentistry?

Patients who benefit from sedation dentistry have:

• A fear or anxiety of the dentist
• Difficulty sitting still for long periods
• Difficulty getting and staying numb from anesthetics

What are the Levels of Sedation Available at Riverside Dental?

At Riverside Dental, we are pleased to offer our patients comfortable, safe, and effective sedation options. Sedation dentistry is regulated by law, and there are two sedative states at which our office can administer: mild sedation and moderate sedation.

Mild Sedation 

Anxiolysis is the lightest form of sedation often used for patients with mild anxiety, more lengthy procedures, or more complex situations. Riverside Dental offers two options for mild sedation. 

• Anti-anxiety medication is usually administered orally by the patient 30 minutes before they arrive at our office. (This will require that someone drive them to and from their appointment.) The patient remains awake or relaxed throughout the entire procedure. Patients typically recover from mild sedation within a few hours after the procedure. 
• Nitrous oxide inhalation (laughing gas). Patients can drive independently after breathing 5 minutes of oxygen after their procedure. 

Moderate Sedation 

For patients with more severe dental anxiety and needing more lengthy or complex procedures, conscious sedation often refers to light IV sedation. We work closely with a licensed anesthesia team throughout the process. 

With conscious sedation, the patient will remain awake but in a deep state of relaxation. It is required that patients who receive conscious sedation have someone accompany them to the appointment. It can take several hours for the sedative to wear off, which makes driving unsafe.

How long does dental sedation last?

The type of medication you take determines how long it will take the sedation to wear off. Oral sedation suppresses the gag reflex, pain, anxiety, and more. However, these dental sedation methods usually last two to eight hours after the procedure. 

What is the side effect of sedation dentistry?

The effects may include dry mouth, drowsiness, headache, fogginess, or loss of memory of the procedure. Although, these minor side effects most often resolve within a few hours. The benefits of sedation dentistry far outweigh these side effects for most people with dental anxiety.

Sedation Dentistry at Riverside Dental 

If you’re looking for a more relaxed and comfortable dental experience, look no further than sedation dentistry at Riverside Dental, our dental office in Wichita, Kansas! Whether you fear the dentist, have a sensitive gag reflex or need extra help to stay still during a procedure, sedation dentistry can help. 

With sedation, patients with anxiety can remain calm and relaxed throughout the appointment and get the dental care they need without stress or discomfort. Don’t let dental fear or pain hold you back from visiting the dentist and getting a healthy, confident smile. Take control of your oral health today by choosing sedation dentistry. 

Please get in touch with Riverside Dental to schedule a dental appointment, learn more about how sedation dentistry can help you, and find out which method suits you best.