Sedation Options for the Dentist

October 10, 2011 | Categories: Sedation Dentistry

A major concern to many regarding even the most basic dental procedures, is pain.  How much pain can I expect?  How can I alleviate it?  Depending on the procedure and the dentist, certain options may be available to you.

For general procedures like the filling of a cavity, Procaine or Novacaine is often used to numb the surrounding area.  Years ago, Cocaine was used for the same purpose – though has since been discontinued due to the dangerous side effects.  Novacaine constricts blood vessels, reducing bleeding and pain.

For more serious dental procedures, a simple numbing may not be enough.  For these cases there are three other options that dentists may utilize.  It should be noted that not all dentists will provide all three options in their office.  Some may lean more towards one than another.  If you are concerned or interested about what your dentist uses, we recommend that you ask the office for more information.

1)      Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous Oxide, also known as “Laughing Gas” is a gas that when mixed with oxygen can deliver a mild degree of sedation.  It is colorless and odorless and can induce a sense of not only relaxation but euphoria as well.  Often patients even feel “giddy”, hence the nickname or “laughing gas.”  On the negative side, some reports do also claim that this gas can result in an uneasy feeling.  For this reason, some dentists decide not to include this in their practice.

2)      Oral Sedation
Some dentists will provide a “pain pill” to take before an appointment as a way to reduce the pain of a particular procedure.  Valium or Xanax are popular options, and will effectively reduce pain and anxiety for a patient.  The problem, is that depending on the person taking the medication – results will vary.  Some will remain awake, while others will be fast asleep.  This can be a problem if the procedure requires a patient to keep their mouths open during surgery.

3)      IV Sedation
Intravenous sedation, delivers pain medication must faster than the aforementioned options.  Additionally, this form can be easily tailored to the amount and effect desired for a particular patient or procedure.  The downside is that some individuals will have adverse effects to the medication, causing further medical issues.  Often it is necessary for IV sedation to be performed only in a hospital setting, preventing some dentists from utilizing it.

If you have any further questions, we urge you to contact your dentist today.