The Types and Strengths of Dental Sedation



For those who have no trouble going to the dentist, dental sedation might seem silly and unnecessary. For others, who are affected by dental anxiety or low pain tolerance, it might be their only shot at getting the dental care they need. For this reason, St. Louis sedation dentistry is an industry on the rise. Despite its growth in popularity, there is still a lot of misinformation about it. Many people think that it involves going “to sleep”entirely for your procedure, but this is likely not the case. Below, we explain the two types of sedation and the differences between low, medium, and high doses.


Oral Vs. IV


There are typically two ways patients are sedated for their dental appointments and procedures. The first is a bit “old school,” and is becoming increasingly less frequent. This method is intravenous (IV). IV sedation is given by injecting a sedative into the arm of the patient. Though it is perfectly safe and effective, the way it is administered is not preferred by many patients. If a patient has dental anxiety, there is a high chance that they are uncomfortable with needles, too. The oral method is when a patient either inhales a nitrous oxide (laughing gas) or takes an anti-anxiety pill to achieve sedation. This strategy is also very safe, and given that it does not induce anxiety the way IV does, it is more commonly used.


Low Dose


For simple appointments or light cases of anxiety, a low dose is used. This will calm you down, sedate you slightly, and increase your pain tolerance. When you take a low dose, you will still be conscious and in charge of your behavior. We have all seen those videos of people coming back from being “asleep” and saying crazy things. This level of dosage will not do that. Low doses are generally given through a pill or a small amount of nitrous oxide.


Medium Dose


On this level of dosage, you will still be conscious, but your thinking will be affected, your words will be slurred, and you will likely not remember the appointment. Generally, a pill cannot take a patient to this level of sedation, so nitrous oxide or IV is used.


High Dose


High-level doses will either put you at the edge of consciousness or completely put you to sleep. You will have no recollection of the appointment and will gradually come back to full awareness as the medication wears off. Just like the medium dose, high levels of sedation use nitrous oxide or IV. This dosage level will generally be used for extreme cases of anxiety and appointments where the dentist is conducting an invasive procedure.

If you or somebody you know suffers from dental anxiety or any other condition that keeps you away from the dentist, sedation is a great avenue to explore. You can get the dental care you need without having to feel the negative emotions that come with a trip to the dentist. If you think a St. Louis sedation dentist is right for you, give us a call at (314) 862-7844 and set up an appointment!
Location: 950 Francis Pl #305, Clayton, MO 63105, USA

Comments

  1. All-on-4 Dental ImplantJuly 5, 2021 at 6:34 AM

    I would like to say this is a well-informed article as we have seen here. Your way of writing is very impressive and also it is a beneficial article for us. Thanks for sharing an article like this.

    Dental Implants in Fremont
    All on 4 Dental Implants
    Same Day Implants
    Wisdom Teeth Removal
    Sedation Dentistry
    Dentist Near Me

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

How to Help Your Child Stop Thumb Sucking

Image
Thumb sucking is for many children an easy and quick way to comfort themselves when they feel anxious, are bored or tired. It is a habit hard to break. It is so readily available and efficient against various stressful factors that it is difficult to find something else to replace it with and give your kid the same comfort. What parents need to understand about thumb sucking is that it comes from a natural reflex of suckling and it goes away by itself in most cases. The thumb is like a pacifier for infants and toddlers up to 4 years old. They use it whenever they want to be comforted. It is not a big issue, after all, but when it passes a certain age, it starts to become a risk for proper oral development.     What Consequences Can Thumb Sucking Have? You should take your child to a pediatric dentist for a check-up if thumb sucking still happens after the child is five years old. That is when the first permanent teeth start appearing and, from now on, any bad ...
Read more

Most Common Reasons for a Toothache

Image
Most of us have experienced a toothache at some point. It can range from being a source of minor discomfort to extreme pain. A toothache is the most common dental ailment, and the top reason why people visit the dentist’s office. The causes of a toothache can be many, and sometimes it may not be easy to identify the real cause. While most people assume that a cavity is the main culprit, in reality, there could be many reasons behind a toothache, and many of these are treatable. In this post, our St. Louis sedation dentist will discuss the top reasons for a toothache. Erupting wisdom tooth When wisdom teeth start crowning or even if they have already crowned, they can create teeth misalignment and push against other teeth. This can put pressure on the gums and jaws. In many cases, orthodontic treatment or wisdom tooth removal is required. Sinus infection A sinus infection or nasal congestion related tenderness in upper jaw can cause teeth pain. Sensitive Teeth ...
Read more

Will My Insurance Cover Sedation Dentistry?

Image
People that are excited to go to the dentist are like unicorns: some claim that they exist, but no one has seen one in real life. And, understandably so. What can be so exciting about having to sit for hours on end in an uncomfortable position while someone uses scary-looking utensils to fix your teeth? Add fear into the mix or a lightheaded feeling whenever you see a needle, and you can see why so many people postpone going to the dentist as long as possible. That’s where sedation dentistry can be of great help. Whether it's minimal, moderate, deep or general anesthesia , sedation can help you get the treatment you need if you are afraid of the dentist or have to sit for long hours through complex procedures. Talk with your St. Louis sedation dentist to determine which course of treatment best suits your needs. However, here's a good question: does your insurance cover sedation dentistry or do you have to pay out of your pocket? Types of Sedation Dentistry Before...
Read more