Dental Treatment under Sedation

Going to the dentist for oral care is a daunting experience for most people who undergo surgeries, implants or long-duration root canal treatments. Often, the thought of sitting on the chair in a chamber setting can make adults and children extremely nervous. In order to reduce the fears of their patients, dentists resort to a safe and effective technique known as “sedation dentistry”. Sedation dentistry helps you feel relaxed to sit through the procedure without interruption.

Different types of sedation are used in dentistry only if the doctor deems fit. When it comes to the level of sedation, complications and risks, it can vary. Some people generally have mild side-effects like IV bruising, headaches, dry mouth, vomiting or nausea, especially if they have a strong gag reflex. If the patient is given an oral sedation, drowsiness might prevail. However, all of these side effects can be safely arrested with medications given to you by your dentist. The aim is to make people comfortable during dental procedures.

Types of Sedation Dentistry We Offer

Sedation techniques can be in the form of Inhalation Sedation, Deep Sedation. and General Anesthesia. Let’s look at them below:

General Anesthesia Used in Dentistry

General anesthesia is recommended for people who cannot take dental care treatment with conscious sedation dentistry or a sedative drug or local anesthesia. They often experience dental phobia and refuse to be treated without sedation.

The patient is unconscious for a temporary amount of time so that he/she does not feel the pain or discomfort. It is ideal for children and adults who need to undergo surgical procedures for oral health.

A general anesthetic can be used for exceptional cases where the patient is unconscious for the whole time only to wake up after the effects wear out. The amount of sedation you receive depends upon the complexity of the procedure like for instance, in the case of young children or adults with special needs.

The dentist can tell whether treatment of teeth under general anesthesia will be perfect for you or not. It is generally administered for complicated procedures like dental implants, complex tooth extractions, jay surgeries, bone grafts, etc. However, whenever possible, the dentist will prescribe the appropriate conscious sedation, including inhalation sedation in the treatment plan.

Indications

Those suitable for sedation are:

• Children and adults with dentophobia- fear of dental surgeries
• long invasive procedures
• strong gag reflexes
• nervous hyperactivity
• chronic diseases that need a qualified anesthesiologist to be present throughout the procedure
• treatments with intravenous administration of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs

Preparation for intravenous sedation

During the consultation for sedation options, your dentist will check your medical history to ascertain whether you are a good candidate for intravenous sedation. A bespoke treatment plan will be created for your needs. During the meeting, you will get detailed insights about the procedure and the types of food recommended both before and after the session date. You can benefit from dental care procedures if you strictly follow post-care doctor instructions.

It is important for you to understand the entire IV sedation process so that you can clear your doubts.  After coming home, if you still have doubts, call your dentist and clear them right away. This will ease your fears and make you ready for the date.

On reaching the clinic, the dentist and staff will prepare you for the procedure. An IV line may be inserted via your arm or hand. The sedation is regulated carefully. Gradually a sense of relaxation seeps in making you composed and ready for the procedure to begin. Once the procedure is over, the dentist will monitor your health and vitals till the local anesthesia wears off.

The course of intravenous sedation

The course of intravenous sedation depends on the duration and the complexities of the procedure. Your dentist will also evaluate your past and present medications and general health before giving you the green signal for the procedure. The dosage of the sedation may be adjusted by your doctor during the course of the session.

Through the entire treatment, continuous monitoring is done to track your vital signs like heart rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure. The doctor and staff will ensure you are comfortable and safe. The aim here is to prevent complications and ensure optimal care so you might be under observation for four to six hours after the treatment.

After the dental care procedure

Once the procedure is over, the specialist will monitor your vitals and general health. You will be under the care of the specialist and staff till you regain full consciousness. You will be checked for any sort of lingering signs of grogginess, nausea, or any discomfort. You must rest and avoid any heavy work. Your dentist will tell you what to expect and for how long. Gradually, with time, you will recover but in case you face any disturbances with sleep, contact your dentist immediately. Ask about any medications you need to take for complete recovery.

Contraindications

For Inhalation sedation

This type of anesthesia is not advisable for those with:

• upper respiratory tract infections, hypertrophy of the tonsils or cold
• lung or respiratory issues
• women in their first trimester of pregnancy
• mental illness and those under medications for such illnesses
• substance abuse like drug addiction
• alcoholism even if being treated as there are high chances of its return once the procedure is over
• those suffering from multiple sclerosis, porphyria, myasthenia gravis
• heart defects
• eating a meal right after the procedure is over
• lack of cooperation on the part of the patient

• For Intravenous sedation

Individuals not recommended for IV sedation are:

• pregnant women
• people with uncontrolled diabetes
• those with renal and hepatic insufficiency
• people with a decompensated hyperthyroidism
• those taking psychoactive substances
• people with severe respiratory diseases like asthma, emphysema, bronchiectasis

Why is it a good idea to choose general anesthesia?

It is a good idea to choose general anesthesia while undergoing lengthy treatments which may be complicated. People with dental anxiety will feel calm if they know they will not be able to experience the pain and discomfort during the session.  Again, there are some cases where people with severe dental anxiety may not be cooperative with the staff or the specialist during the course of the surgery. In short, general anesthesia is beneficial for people with dental care fear and anxiety.

Pediatric dental treatment under general anesthesia

For children, general anesthesia helps them to undergo complex dental procedures without fear. They are eligible for sedation if the procedure is long, complicated or scared of sitting in a dental office.

Dental treatment under anesthesia will also help the parent, legal guardian or doctor focus on the procedure better. Children often are difficult to manage during an appointment. So, this type of sedation can help them receive optimal treatment without fear. If your child is under medication, a list should be provided to the dentist prior to the procedure.

During the consultation with your doctor, as a parent or legal guardian you should ask questions about the entire procedure from start to finish. You must follow the post-care advice of your dentist for your child to recover fully from the effects of the general anesthesia.

Ensure your child gets the rest needed. Your dentist will tell you how much time it will take for the effects of the anesthesia to wear off. In case, your child is feeling sleepy or is still drowsy after the time specified by your dentist, call him/her to take necessary steps.