If you're nervous or anxious about visiting the dentist, dental sedation may be able to help you get the treatment you need and deserve. Don't let anxiety prevent you from achieving optimal oral health. Here's more on the 4 main types of dental sedation.
If you suffer from high levels of anxiety or oral sensitivity you may be able to receive dental sedation to help you get through anything from routine cleanings to longer more invasive treatments.
There are four main types of dental sedation. How dental sedation is used for each patient depends on the severity of the individual's fear and anxiety.
- Minimal sedation: You will not fall asleep. Under minimal sedation you will feel more relaxed but still be able to walk, talk and breathe as usual.
- Moderate sedation: You will be able to talk, hear and respond but you will feel drowsy, and you will still require a local anesthetic at the treatment site for pain management. You may or may not remember the procedure once it's finished.
- Deep sedation: With deep sedation you will be asleep and won't remember anything about the procedure. You will still require a local anesthetic at the site of the treatment since your pain reflexes are still intact.
- General anesthesia: This is the deepest level of sedation. You will be unconscious (feel as if you're asleep) and you won't feel any pain. Your reflexes will be absent and you'll requires assistance breathing.
If you suffer from dental anxiety, general anxiety disorder, resistance to local anesthetic or unusually sensitive oral nerves, dental sedation may be helpful for you.