Which Type Of Pain Free Dental Sedation Is Right For You?

By Author: Joanne Lemke
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If you’re terrified of going to the dentist, you don’t have to be. Thanks to several different sedation techniques, you can take advantage of completely pain-free dentistry!

But which type of sedation is right for you?

You’ll have to discuss things in advance with your dentist. The type of procedure you’re having will usually dictate what kind of sedation is best. However, specific sensitivities, allergies, or health problems (especially ones related to the heart, liver, or kidneys) can make certain types of sedation inappropriate. Generally, though, most people who want to take advantage of pain-free dentistry will be able to use one of these techniques:

1. Local anaesthesia

This is the most common type of sedation dentistry. In fact, if you’ve ever gotten a filling, you’ve gotten local anaesthesia!

To administer it, your dentist will make a small injection right into the area that needs to be worked on. That way, you’ll only be numb in one spot.

2. Inhalation sedatives

If you’ve ever had “laughing gas” before, you’ve taken advantage of inhalation sedatives. ...
... This type of sedation use special gases (like Nitrous Oxide or Methoxyflurane) that you breathe in through a mask. Your dentist can tweak these sedatives so that you can experience anything from a very minimal sedation to complete unconsciousness.

If you’re conscious, inhalation sedatives will prevent you from doing anything but very simple tasks – like nodding your head and mumbling a bit. You’ll be able to respond to your dentist’s commands, but you’ll be very drowsy and “foggy”. So, as you might expect, you’ll need someone to drive you home when the procedure is finished!

3. Conscious intravenous sedatives

If your dentist wants you to experience a moderate or deep sedation, he’ll likely use this technique. These sedatives are administered right into your bloodstream through a needle. They’re strong enough that you won’t remember anything about your trip to the dentist after it’s over!

4. General anaesthesia

If you need to go in for a complicated procedure, your dentist may opt for general anaesthesia, which will render you completely unconscious. You won’t be able to respond at all, until special drugs are administered to wake you up. Because general anaesthesia is much more complex that the other techniques we’ve talked about, your dentist will need an anaesthetist on hand to give it to you. You’ll also need help breathing and your heart rate monitored while you’re under its effects. This type of pain free dentistry is normally reserved for major dental surgery such as a complex wisdom tooth extraction.

Joanne Lemke is a final year creative writing student at UOW, who is looking to break into the corporate copywriting space once she graduates and hopefully go on to eventually someday write a book around her other passions, namely beauty, cooking and travel. Thanks to several different sedation techniques that a dentist can use to take advantage of completely Pain free densitry!