Some people do not blink during dental visits, while others avoid the dentist for years. If you fall into the latter category, San Antonio, TX sleep dentistry might be a good option for you to consider. San Antonio, TX sleep dentistry uses sedation to relax patients before dental procedures and offers a solution to the fear and anxiety related to the dentist.
Sedation level
There are different types of sedation, and nature varies according to the kind of treatment required for the dental problem. Sometimes it may require only conscious sedation in which you can continue the medicine while you are awake and aware, but you will still not feeling the pain. This is just given in cases where it is much less complicated. You may be given sedation to sleep so that you will gradually move to drowsiness and finally fall asleep without any awareness, and this is very important for all complicated issues. In fact, this is only given in hospitals under the name of general anesthesia in which the required dose of sedation is administered to the patient.
Depending on the procedure performed and your level of anxiety, there are different levels of sedation that can be offered from mild sedation to excessive sedation. In some cases, an anesthetist should be present during the procedure. San Antonio, TX sleep dentistry is most commonly used for procedures such as wisdom tooth extraction, root canal treatment, multiple fillings, or dental implants.
The levels of sedation commonly provided in San Antonio, TX sleep dentistry include:
Oral sedation
Oral sedation is when oral sedatives are used to calm an anxious patient before a procedure. This is an excellent choice for people who are afraid of needles, as it is only about oral medications. The effects of oral sedation can range from drowsiness until some people fall into a light sleep.
Conscious sedation
Conscious sedation is when you are given a combination of sedatives and anesthetic before a procedure to allow you to be completely relaxed. You will usually be awake during the process, or if you fall asleep, you can wake up quickly. You probably will not remember much of the procedure, and you will feel drowsy later.
Intravenous sedation
Intravenous sedation means that you will have sedatives given through an intravenous drip and you will feel as if you have been asleep throughout the procedure. You will not be able to remember the process, but you will be aware and can respond to commands. An anesthetist or seditionist should perform sedation.
Be open with your dentist.
If the dentist’s idea causes him significant anxiety, it is nothing to be ashamed of. Sometimes people have had a previous traumatic experience at the dentist that increases their fear levels or may suffer from anxiety. Whatever your reason, you do not need to keep avoiding the dentist; only talk to your dentist about your concerns so a plan can be formulated.
