Sedation & Laughing Gas

Is sedation dentistry the right choice for you?

Many people have a severe fear of dental procedures. They worry about the possibility of suffering from pain, feeling vulnerable and experiencing discomfort. Sedation dentistry aims to help patients with such fears and anxieties. By allowing you to feel relaxed, sedation allows for you to go forward with the procedures that are needed for maintaining your oral health, such as root canals, tooth extractions, dental implants and dental cleanings. Don’t let your fears stop you from making the right decisions for your health.

Sedation & Laughing Gas Dentistry in Etobicoke

What is sedation?

During sedation, the dentist administers a drug (depending on which type of sedation is right for you) before and throughout the dental procedure. Unlike general anaesthesia, during sedation the patient is not completely unconscious. Instead, you will feel relaxed but will remain aware of yourself and your surroundings.

Nitrous Oxide, commonly known as Laughing Gas, is a safe and painless option for a hassle-free sedation. This sedative has been used for over a hundred years in dentistry, and is a go-to option for many professionals around the world. Importantly, it is often a suitable option for both adults and children because the dose can be controlled and varied appropriately. By helping you relax and feel pleasant, nitrous oxide can help your dental procedure run smoothly. After sedation, the gas usually wears off within minutes. This means that patients can generally drive themselves home after the appointment.

Oral sedatives are another common and reliable method used in modern dentistry. A pill, most commonly Triazolam, is crushed and given under the tongue of the patient for fast absorption into the blood stream. Patients will feel relaxed during the procedure and may have a fuzzy memory of the procedure. Oral sedatives are generally used during longer and more complex procedures, but are sometimes also offered to patients undergoing routine procedures. This form of sedation is ideal for patients who are wary of injections or sensitive to other medications.

Intravenous, or IV sedation, involves the direct administration of the sedative into your bloodstream. This form of sedation is most commonly used during complicated and lengthy procedures. Controlling the concentrations allows the dentist to put you into varying stages of consciousness. You will be less aware of your surroundings, but will still maintain the ability to respond to verbal commands. Generally, patients find that they remember little or none of the procedure afterwards.

Patients who consider sedation dentistry often have different reasons, such as :

– Phobia related to dental work
– General anxiety disorders
– Previous bad dental experience
– Small mouth that becomes sore during dental work
– Sensitive oral nerves and resistance to local anesthetic
– A strong GAG reflex

If you recognize yourself in any of these categories, consider asking your dentist about sedation dentistry.

Sedation & Laughing Gas

Talk to a dentist today about sedation

Our team is here to talk to you about sedation and the best options for you. While some patients assume that general anaesthesia or “sleep dentistry” will offer the best solution for them, this is often not the case. To learn more about these procedures begin a conversation today with our team. Remember to mention any medical issues and medications you take, so the dentist can make a safe and educated recommendation for you.