Sedation Dentistry in Calgary - by: Calgary Dentist Marlborough Dental Centre

Sedation Dentistry in Calgary - by: Calgary Dentist Marlborough Dental Centre

Is Sedation Dentistry right for You?

Do you have a real fear or anxiety preventing you from going to the dentist?
Do you have a low threshold for pain?
Do you have trouble sitting still?
Do you have a bad gag reflex?
Do you need a large amount of dental work completed?

If you answered yes to any one of these questions, Sedation Dentistry could be a solution.

Many people would rather endure the intense agony of a terrible tooth ache than jump on the Dentist's chair.  The problem is, not visiting us regularily or not addressing a problem can make things worse.  Worse means that when the inevitable comes to head, your visit will be more uncomfortable than necessary.  

Over the past few years, Sedation Dentistry has attracted more attention and is being offered on a more regular basis.  The high level objective is to address patient's anxiety and help them relax.  Web MD explains this quite well:

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It's sometimes referred to as "sleep dentistry," although that's not entirely accurate because patience are usually awake.  There are different levels of sedation, including:

• Minimal sedation -- you are awake but relaxed.
• Moderate sedation (formerly called "conscious sedation") -- you may slur your words when speaking and not remember much of the procedure.
• Deep sedation -- you are on the edge of consciousness but can still be awakened.
• General anesthesia -- you are completely unconscious. 

Regardless of what type of sedation you recieve, a local anesthetic (numbing medication on working site) will be used to relieve pain.  

Patients often inquire about the safety of Sedation Dentistry.  If administered by expierenced dentists, it usually is.  That being said, be a smart patient.  Make sure the following is done:

1. Before the procedure, your dentist should go over your medical history. Your dentist should also determine whether you are an appropriate candidate for sedation and ask about any medications you're currently taking.
2. You should ask what dose of the sedative is appropriate for your age and health. You should also ask whether it is within the dose recommended.
3. It's important to find out how much training the dentist has and how many procedures he or she has performed using sedation. The more procedures the dentist has performed, the better.
4. You should receive a form detailing the risks of the procedure. Go over it carefully with your dentist. Ask questions if you're unclear on any of the wording.
5. The dentist should monitor your vital signs during the procedure following the appropriate guidelines. The dentist should also have oxygen -- artificial ventilation -- and drugs that reverse the effects of sedation on hand in case you need them.