Is Dental Sedation Safe?

If you’re looking for dental sedation in Covington, then good news: most dentists will offer some form of sedation to help patients feel calm while getting their oral health restored.

Though extremely beneficial, you may still wonder whether dental sedation is truly safe. Keep reading this short post from Cornerstone Dentistry to get the full answer.

What Is Dental Sedation?

Dental sedation is a practice through which dentists ensure all patients get a relaxed, pain-free, and quality experience when addressing their oral health needs.

There is a common misconception that sedation is only used for people with severe dental anxiety. While yes, people with anxiety are common recipients of dental sedation, they’re far from the only ones!

Dental sedation could be beneficial for people with:

• A severe gag reflex
• Motor disabilities that prevent them from lying still in the chair
• Special needs
• Severe dental damage which requires lengthy and complex dental work

Sedation may also be necessary for young children during a routine appointment if they are too young to sit with their mouths open or follow instructions.

How Safe Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is perfectly safe under certain conditions. A dentist should review your medical history and dental history and recommend a type of sedation that works specifically for you.

Some of your options include:

• Laughing Gas (nitrous oxide): A mild sedative that is inhaled during your treatment. The effects wear off fast and patients usually leave their appointment fully alert;

• Oral Conscious: A stronger sedative that is taken orally shortly before your treatment. Effects take a few hours to wear off;

• IV Sedation: Delivers a constant stream of sedation meds through an IV, and is used for lengthy treatment to prevent the sedation from wearing off too soon. It can take even a day to fully wear off;

• General Anesthesia: The only type of sedation that puts you to sleep. It’s used in a clinical setting for extensive dental work or surgeries. After, you’re kept under close supervision for a few days until the effects fully wear off.

Why You’re Perfectly Safe with Sedation Dentistry

No matter which type of sedation you get, remember that you’ll be constantly under the supervision of a trained professional.

Usually, dental sedation is safe for patients because dentists screen them to determine the best type of sedative. This lowers the risk of any side effects tremendously. You’ll also be monitored during your treatment and receive immediate help in the unlikely event of a bad reaction.

Explore Your Sedation Options at Cornerstone Dentistry

Oral care shouldn’t be scary or uncomfortable. Come see Dr. Keleigh Lascari for a short consultation to discover what kind of dental sedation will help you get access to quality oral health stress-free.

Request an appointment to Cornerstone Dentistry online, or call us at (985) 869-8020 today to learn more about how we can help.