Dental Sedation: Understanding Dental Sedation Options

For many people, the thought of going to the dentist and getting dental work done can cause anxiety or fear. This can be caused by many things, but at Sierra Dental, a previous traumatic dental experience is the most common.

To help our patients control this fear, we offer dental sedation. Our team has advanced training in IV sedation, and provides a modern approach to dental medicine that uses sedatives to help patients feel calm and pain-free during treatments.

In our clinic, dental sedation is also used for procedures that require extended time, such as multiple dental implants, patients with special needs, and even children who need extra support during treatment.

Types of Dental Sedation in Calgary

At Sierra Dental, we offer oral sedation, nitrous oxide or laughing gas, and IV sedation which can provide mild to deep sedative effects. To give you a better idea, here are the sedation options we can include in your treatment plan and how they work:

Oral Sedation

For this option, a pill is taken a few hours, or as prescribed, before the procedure. This will make you feel drowsy and calm, but still able to respond to instructions. This may be recommended by our sedation dentist in for patients who have a low pain threshold, strong gag reflex, or certain medical conditions that make them unable to stay still during treatments.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

This is considered as the most common and lightest type of sedation. A mild sedative is inhaled through a mask placed over the nose, which takes effect quickly. Under this sedation, you will be fully awake but groggy. Once the procedure is done, oxygen is administered through the same mask to eliminate the sedative effects and allow you to recover fast.

IV Sedation

Intravenous sedation involves using drugs administered directly through the bloodstream through an IV line. It produces a deep level of sedation which can be controlled in real time. Patients often have little or no memory after undergoing this type of sedation. At Sierra Dental, this type of sedation is available to patients with severe dental anxiety or those who need multiple or complex treatments.

For some dental treatments, general anesthesia may also be recommended. We can refer you to our trusted anesthesiologist if this is a better option for your care.

When is Dental Sedation Recommended?

Our sedation dentists may recommend dental sedation in the following situations:

• Patients who have severe dental anxiety or fear
• For treatments that may take a long time, such as multiple tooth restorations or complex surgeries
• Patients with physical or mental conditions that make it hard to stay still or cooperate
• Low sensitivity to pain that may make even simple procedures uncomfortable
• Strong gag reflex as it may affect treatment efficiency
• Previous traumatic dental experience to help set a calm and relaxed mood
• Uncooperative children as they may be too anxious

Ultimately, our goal with including dental sedation in your treatment plan is to create a relaxed space so you can feel at ease and comfortable in your care. Sedation dentistry ensures a positive experience, helping many Calgary families prioritize their oral health without reservations.

Benefits of Dental Sedation

At Sierra Dental, sedation dentistry offers several advantages not only to our patients but also for our dental team.

Reduces anxiety and fear

Dental sedation can create minor sedation effects to complete loss of unconsciousness. This technique minimizes fear associated with dental visits by ensuring a painless procedure with patients feeling utmost comfort while in treatment.

Helps deliver quick and efficient dental care

Dental procedures done under sedation dentistry are faster and safer without your dentist worrying of unnecessary movements that may make treatment challenging.

Improves patient experience

Dental sedation offers a safer and more comfortable experience for many patients who have dental fear or those who have certain medical conditions that prevent them from getting the necessary care.

Boosts oral hygiene and health

With dental sedation, more patients can receive proper treatment and routine dental care. Dental visits are also more fun and positive, ensuring long-lasting, better oral health.

How We Do Dental Sedation at Sierra Dental

To ensure we can provide safe and effective treatments under sedation, we follow strict protocols before, during, and after treatment. This helps our sedation dentist deliver correct doses that will allow successful procedures with minimum to no side effects.

Pre-planning and consultation are important

Before using sedation, a comprehensive assessment of your oral health will be completed. This will help determine which type of sedation is right for you. It will also help our sedation dentist plan the dosage of the drug to be used.

Sedation should only be administered by a trained professional

At Sierra Dental, our team is led by professionals trained in sedation dentistry. Under their care, our patients can trust that we deliver a safe and appropriate dosage of the prescribed sedative drug.

Common side effects and how they are managed

As with other dental procedures, side effects are common in sedation. This includes grogginess, nausea, dizziness, lightheadedness, and vomiting. Usually, these side effects resolve once the sedation has completely worn off. But if any persist, it is best to contact our clinic for urgent care.

Certain conditions are contraindicated with dental sedation

If you have severe respiratory problems, uncontrolled medical conditions (such as diabetes or hypertension), or allergies to certain medications, sedation may not be ideal for you. Also, if you are taking other medications or are pregnant, it is best to discuss with your physician to determine the best plan of care for you.

Conclusion

Whether you are suffering from severe dental phobia or just want to feel more calm during dental procedures, we offer dental sedation at Sierra Dental so you can feel more confident and at ease during your dental visits.

To learn more about this procedure, contact us today at (403) 297-9600. Our sedation team will discuss your concerns and help you understand what type of sedation is best for you.