Do you shudder at the thought of going to the dentist’s office? Does the idea of sitting in the dentist’s chair send chills down your spine?
Due to various factors, you may have developed an unhealthy fear of the dentist. If so, getting the treatment you need seems like an impossible hurdle to overcome. Simply the anticipation of what could happen makes you hypersensitive to every touch and sound. If all of this sounds familiar, you might benefit from sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry is the practice of using medication to help patients relax during dental treatment. Levels of sedation vary depending on the patient and specific procedure carried out. At the Yuba City Dentistry Group, we offer the following types of sedation options.
Types of Sedatives
Oral sedation refers to a pill that that is taken by mouth, by swallowing or allowing the medication to dissolve under your tongue. It is a popular option for patients because of ease of application and the fact that it does not require the use of needles. Most oral sedatives will not put you to sleep; however, you will become drowsy and often not remember the procedure once it is complete. Once taken, oral sedatives take effect in a matter of minutes.
Inhalation conscious sedation describes the practice of administering gas commonly known as “laughing gas”, combined with oxygen. The gas is delivered through a mask placed over the nose, and quickly helps the patient to relax by producing a euphoric or light-headed feeling. The effect wears off relatively quickly, enabling most patients to drive themselves home.
IV conscious sedation is the process of delivering sedatives directly into the bloodstream. Using this method allows the drug to go to work quickly, and also gives the dentist increased control over the level of sedation.
Before recommending any type of sedation, your Yuba City Dentist will consider your complete health history, including any current and past medications you have taken. If you think you would benefit from sedation dentistry, set up an appointment today and we will be happy to discuss the specifics of treatment.
