Why You Should Not Worry About Sedation During Dental Treatment 

Have you ever feared to go to the dentist, with the thought of going through a complex, painful procedure stressing you out on a high degree? Well, you’re not alone. This is why the experts are offering sedation dentistry Reston VA to help reduce the anxiety level and risk a patient may encounter during and even after the procedure.

The Need for Sedation Dentistry

Also referred to as sleep dentistry, sedation dentistry is a method used to help patients relax while they undergo different types of dental procedures. But unlike its alternative moniker, patients don’t typically fall into sleep after getting sedated (unless they are under general anesthesia).

There are various reasons why patients undergo sedation dentistry, including but not limited to general anxiety disorder, the sensitivity of dental nerves, trauma from previous dental treatment, and resistance to local anesthesia.

Patients who experience or have the symptoms said above are advised to inquire about their sedation options. Though this type of sedation can be used to get through a wide range of dental works, it is generally not recommended for the basic procedures like cleaning, routine care, and X-ray.

Different Types of Sedation Dentistry

There are several types of sedation dentistry Reston VA that can be performed on patients. These include:

Topical anesthetics. Applied with a swap, the topical anesthetic is used by dentists to numb the affected area in the mouth or in the gums. After applying, this is typically followed with a local anesthetic injection.

Oral sedatives. As what the name implies, this type of sedative is taken orally — usually, around an hour before your appointment. Take note that drowsiness could be a side effect.

Nitrous oxide. Also known as the laughing gas, this helps in keeping a patient relaxed. This is inhaled through a rubber mask and its effects immediately wear off once the gas is turned off.

Electronically delivered anesthesia. If you’re looking for an alternative to a local anesthetic, this could be the solution you’ve been searching for. This is done by placing adhesive pads on a patient’s face, numbing the affected area through the electrical impulses sent out by a battery-powered device.

Intravenous sedation. This type of sedation is recommended for patients who are set to undergo complex dental procedures. It involves injecting a sedative into the patient’s vein either in the hand or in the arm. Take note that this should be done only by a dentist licensed to administer IV sedation.

General anesthesia. Like mentioned above, this method puts the patient into sleep throughout the dental procedure. This is usually done in a patient admitted to a hospital.

An Important Note

It is very important for a dentist to know about your dental concern. Because depending on the cause of your anxiousness, your dentist will recommend a certain type of sedation dentistry Reston VA. For instance, if you fear needles, you’d be advised to take oral sedatives instead of IV sedation. The key is to be transparent with how you feel, so your dentist will know which method best suits your situation.

More than 99% of our patients would refer their friends and family to us. Whether it be Cosmetic, preventive, restorative, or sedation dentistry Reston VA, we got your back. Contact us today!