At Restoration Smiles: Adult & Pediatric Dentistry, we commonly perform sedation dentistry in cases that involve patients who experience dental anxiety or fear, or have sensitive teeth. However, many patients choose to get sedated for procedures like dental implant placement as part of a restorative dentistry treatment plan. Typically, patients will have general anesthesia while undergoing a required process. Our dentist will generally administer either nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, or IV sedation depending on the patient's needs and what the dentist suggests. 

Intravenous Sedation

Patients undergoing IV sedation will need a driver to transport them to and from their appointment. This is because anesthesia will not wear off quickly after being administered intravenously by a team member. Typically, patients who opt for IV sedation have severe dental anxiety or require extensive dental work such as multiple fillings, root canal therapy, or a dental crown procedure. In rare cases, patients with strong gag reflexes will elect to undergo IV sedation since they can receive dental care without feeling anything in their mouth.

Benefits of IV Sedation

There are many benefits of using IV sedation during dental treatments. Patients who choose this type of sedation can relax while the dentist performs his work, which will help them remain calm and at ease throughout their treatment. Dental treatments can be lengthy procedures, but patients who use IV sedation can relax while their dentist works so that they can get through them more quickly. Similarly, patients with extreme anxiety or fear about going to the dentist may be relaxed by the sedatives during their appointment. 

General Anesthesia

This type of anesthesia puts you to sleep so that you won’t feel a thing during your procedure. Our dentist will likely request that you have it if you have anxiety about going to the dentist or need extensive work done, such as when the teeth are severely decayed or impacted. Sometimes, our dentist will combine it with other types of sedation to help you relax and put you to sleep. 

While under general anesthesia, you remain asleep throughout your procedure. The oral surgeon will have you wear an oxygen mask to help with breathing and keep you comfortable. After the surgery, you will wake up without recollection of your procedure. However, the medicine will probably not fully wear off while you are still in the dental office, so you will need someone to drive you home after the procedure.

Benefits of General Anesthesia

The benefits of undergoing your procedure under general anesthesia are numerous. You will sleep through the entire process, not feel any pain, and have little to no memory of the procedure when it is over.

To learn more about the benefits of sedation dentistry, visit Restoration Smiles: Adult & Pediatric Dentistry at 2 Coolidge St Suite 202, Hudson, MA 01749, or call (508) 658-0661.