Sedation Dentistry: When Does It Become Useful?

Sedation Dentistry has been in the field of dentistry for more than 15 years and it has always been proven safe and effective for patients with anxiety over dental procedures or patients who wish to undergo multiple procedures in single or two appointments.

There are three types of methods where dental sedation is performed to qualified individuals. Inhalation sedation is involved with the administration of nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” through a mask placed on the nose until the patient achieves a more relaxed state. Oral sedation is the administration of pills or liquids to bring the patients into conscious, drowsy state; intravenous or IV sedation is the administration of drugs through the blood stream.

Each state in the country have required guidelines set up by local and state boards before any dentist can perform the methods mentioned above. Permit A or Level 1 Permit is obtained by any dentist with experience in dental anesthesia. Permit B or Level 2 Permit is obtained by dentists who have undergone a minimum 14 hours of additional instructional classroom training on oral sedation accredited by the DOCS Education (Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation). Permit C or Level 3 Permit is the most difficult to obtain because of its comprehensive scope in dental sedation which requires a dentist to be licensed IV dental anesthetist and his support staff be able to complete as well hours of training in anesthesia.

Not all dental patients who desire to have a painless dental procedure can automatically qualify for an option in dental sedation. As much as possible, it is restricted only to a select few.

If you are a fearful or anxious patient who does not want to remember everything that has occurred during the treatment, then you may opt for an intravenous sedation. Dental sedation is a good alternative if you think that the only way for the dental procedure to get done in less time since you cannot tolerate any pain is when you are administered with any of the above options. The “laughing gas” is a perfect approach towards conscious sedation if you only want to feel relaxed. Thus, it is ideal for those with only mild anxieties. If your fear is brought about by the sight and sounds associated in a dental clinic and not really a fear to the dentist, then you immediately become a perfect candidate for dental sedation. If you believe that there will never be any psychological consultations or empathetic conversations with the dentist that could help you get rid of your dental fear, anxiety or phobia, then it would be best to be presented with the available option in dental sedation. Some patients with other mental problems are recommended with any of the three options. More complex extractions that might take longer hours when done without any sedatives are also another factor for sedation. Patients who want to have their teeth fixed as soon as possible without having to visit the dentists again and again may also be considered with oral or IV sedation.

If you think you have a high threshold for pain, there is no point in considering dental sedation. It will only cost you more money. First of all, the cost for dental procedures is separate from the cost of dental sedation. Second, dental sedation is generally not covered in insurance. If you have been paying the dentist regular visits and your teeth seem to be healthy, you do not really need dental sedation. Just go on with getting the usual form of dental services without these complex sedatives, and settle with the normal anesthetics used in the dental clinic.

Dr. Shamblott is a Minneapolis dentist providing Eden Prairie sedation dentistry to patients throughout the Twin Cities metro area.

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