Sedation for Dental Procedures
Sleep Sedation Dentistry
Anxiety and fear is a common feeling that many patients experience before a dental procedure. It doesn’t have to be that way. We have an in-house anesthesiologist who will administer medication to reduce this anxiety. By relieving your stress, it allows us to work more efficiently, and you do not have to suffer through appointments. Sedation can also be a good choice for people who have a serious gag reflex, long or difficult appointments or those who require more comprehensive procedures.
FAQs
Anaesthesia refers to ‘insensitivity to pain’. Some patients can become very anxious at the prospect of a dental procedure. Sedative medications can help a patient to relax and provide them some comfort while undergoing treatment. At Niagara Dental Centre, the choice of which anaesthetic to use will depend on a variety of factors ranging from, the specific needs of the patient as well as the procedure. Your dentist will determine what mode is right for you.
At Niagara Dental Centre, we offer a variety of sedation modalities directly in our office, including:
Nitrous Oxide sedation
Nitrous Oxide is a non-irritating, colorless, and sweet smelling gas that has been used as a safe and effective primary form of sedation in dentistry for years. During the sedation period, the patient is fully able to breathe on their own and retain all bodily function, remaining in control of their movements. It will calm the patient, who may fall asleep, or even experience mild amnesia in the process, allowing the dental treatment to be carried out while minimizing anxiety. Nitrous oxide may be used for practically any and all dental procedures where the patient experiences high levels of anxiety.
There are many advantages of using Nitrous Oxide for sedation in dentistry, such as:
- The sedation is versatile, allowing it to be increased or decreased at any time during the appointment
- There are no after-effects, or post-operative side effects
- It is safe on your heart and lungs
- Effective in minimizing gagging
- It is very fast acting. Within less than a minute after the onset of administration, the patient is feeling relaxed, and less pain until the gas is turned off
Nitrous oxide should be avoided in patients who have:
- COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)
- Chest pains
- Emphysema
- Cold/flu
- Difficulty breathing
Deep Sedation/Intravenous sedation
With this type of anaesthesia, anaesthetic and sedative medications are administered intravenously. At Niagara Dental Centre, we have an anaesthesiologist who works right in our office. He will choose the accurate dosage of medication to ensure you are as comfortable and relaxed as possible for the procedure. You will be monitored over the entire length of the appointment right in the dental chair. His team of nurses will then keep you comfortable in our recovery room, until you wake up. Your dental procedure will be complete, and you will not have had to suffer through any pain or anxiety in the process.
Our dental anesthesiologist will monitor all of the patient’s vital signs during the procedure. This includes oxygen saturation, EKG, heart rate, blood pressure and respiratory rate.
Using anaesthesia in dentistry has been documented as a safe and effective method for carrying out complex procedures successfully. This field has been heavily researched, and your doctor has received years of training and experience to ensure your health and safety. It is crucial that you notify your doctor of any medications that you are taking and/or any changes to your overall health from your last appointment.
There are some conditions that may exclude certain patients from anaesthesia in the dental office. These conditions include, but are not limited to: asthma, heart disease, lung disease, obesity, hypertension, and sleep apnea. Talk to your dentist to determine if this modality is right for you.
Our treatment coordinator at Niagara Dental Centre will sit down with you, and draw up an estimate based on your individual need for treatment. She will explain all fees associated with the procedure, and explore if this may be covered by your insurance company. Together, we will create a payment plan that works for you.
Pre-Op
It is important that you are driven to and from your appointment. It is not safe for you to operate a motor vehicle or any heavy machinery after you have been given anaesthesia for at least 24 hours.
Do not eat or drink after midnight. Three hours before the appointment, you may have a cup of water or apple juice. Make sure to wear comfortable clothing, with short sleeves for the IV. Do not wear contact lenses, jewelry, slippers or sandals, or nail polish.
Post-Op
Upon waking, shortly after the dental treatment is completed, our in-house nurse will monitor you for another half hour to an hour before clearing you as ‘safe to be discharged’. Medications, drugs, anaesthetics and prescriptions may cause drowsiness and a lack of awareness and coordination. Alcohol and other drugs can increase these side effects. When you return home, make sure to get plenty of rest and drink ample amounts of fluids. Do not drink any alcohol or take any other sedative medications for a full 24 hours. Do not operate any vehicle, automobile or heavy machinery for a full 24 hours while taking medications and/or drugs, or until fully recovered from the effects.