If you suffer from dental anxiety or heightened oral sensitivity, dental sedation may be able to help you to get the treatment you need in a comfortable, stress-free manner. Here, our Langley dentists explain some of the different types of sedation available when undergoing dental work.
When is dental sedation appropriate?
If you find that you suffer from high levels of dental anxiety or heightened oral sensitivity, dental sedation may be a way for you to receive the treatment you need in a calm and stress-free manner. Sedation can help dental patients to get through anything from routine cleanings to more invasive dental procedures comfortably.
Every one of our patient's sedation needs are unique, and each individual's level of anxiety as well as the length and complexity of the treatment is different. Our Langley dentists evaluate each patient's sedation requirements on a case-by-case basis. If you think that dental sedation could be beneficial for you, speak to our dentists about the sedation options available at our office.
What are the different types of dental sedation available to patients?
Minimal sedation:
- This medication will not cause you to fall asleep. Minimal sedation gives patients a calm and relaxed feeling while still allowing the patient to walk, and talk as normal.
Moderate sedation:
- Patients are still able to talk, hear and respond however, they will feel drowsy and may doze off during the dental procedure. With moderate sedation, local anesthetic will still be used at the treatment site for pain management. Patients may or may not remember the procedure once the dental treatment has been completed.
Deep sedation:
- Under deep sedation patients will have no memory of their dental procedure. Local anesthetic will still be necessary at the treatment site for pain management even with deep sedation.
General anesthesia:
- The deepest level of sedation used in dentistry is general anesthesia. Under this form of sedation patients will be unconscious (feel as if they are asleep) and won't feel any pain during the procedure. The patient's reflexes will be absent and they will require some assistance breathing.
Can I get dental sedation for my next appointment?
If you suffer from dental anxiety, general anxiety disorder, panic disorder, resistance to local anesthetic or unusually sensitive oral nerves, speak to your dentist about dental sedation. Our team of professionals at Willowbrook Dental Clinic in Langley want to provide you with a positive dental experience every time your visit our office, regardless of the reason for your visit.