Sedation during a dental procedure is a common practice. We do it if the patient is uncomfortable with the procedure or it is an extensive and painful procedure that requires the patient to be sedated.

We use many different types of sedatives in our practice. We’re qualified to use these sedatives, and they are very safe to use during procedures. We’ll examine some of the most common sedatives we use and what effects they can have on a person.

Sedation dentistry is common and safe for our patients. We are always on the lookout for the latest in dental technology including developments in sedation dentistry.

Types of Sedatives: Local Anesthetic

When you have a tooth extraction or other procedure that is painful but doesn’t require a high level of sedation, we use a local anaesthetic such as Novocain. It’s injected into the area and numbs it so we can do the procedure and you have little pain.

The biggest side effects are temporary drooling and speech problems caused by the numbness. It’s important to tell us if you have any allergies to anaesthetic or have heart, blood clotting, liver, or other medical problems.

We want our patients to be as safe as possible before, during, and after our dental procedures. We know going to the dentist can be scary at times.

Nitrous Oxide

We’re sure everyone has seen YouTube videos of people after they have their wisdom teeth pulled. They’re dealing with the temporary aftereffects of nitrous oxide anaesthetic. When we need someone to be relaxed for a major dental procedure, we’ll use both a local anaesthetic and nitrous oxide.

Patients often doze off during the surgery or are calm and awake for much of the procedure. People can sleep through the surgery and for an hour or so afterwards as well. Nitrous oxide is often called laughing gas because of the way it makes people feel while under its influence.

Nitrous oxide mixed with oxygen is breathed through a mask prior to the procedure.

Heavier Anesthetics

When a procedure is complex or time-intensive, the heavier anaesthetics are used. Moderate sedation uses an anaesthetic delivered via an IV. It places the patient into a state between awake and sleep. Patients are often conscious but have little recollection of the procedure.

Deep sedation is also introduced via an IV but places the person into a deep sleep. Patients are not easily woken from deep sedation but can be roused if necessary. This is usually reserved for more intense surgeries and procedures.

If a patient is placed under general anaesthesia, then it’s like what someone experiences going into a major surgery at a hospital. Prior to the surgery, a mix of drugs is used to place the person into a deep unconsciousness where they don’t react to pain or reflex signals.

Often it feels to the patient as if they are just going to sleep.

Anaesthetics are a Necessary Part of Dentistry

We use many different types of sedatives here at Estrabillo Dental Group. We want our patients to know exactly what we’re doing and feel safe when they come for a dental procedure with us.

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