A lot of patients suffer from extreme fear and anxiety about going to the dentist. However, not seeing a dentist can make teeth problems even worse. Luckily, a Houston sedation dentist can help you remove those fears and experience a relaxing appointment at the dentist. At Lovett Dental Webster, we offer sedation dentistry so you can feel relaxed during your appointment.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?a woman receives treatment from at houston sedation dentist

Sedation dentistry is a specialty dentistry service that involves the use of medication to make patients feel relaxed. Some even fall asleep. It’s used for extreme cases like tooth removals. It’s also given for simple appointments like teeth cleaning.

There are a few different levels of sedation. The first is mild sedation. In this instance, you are awake, but you are in a state of complete relaxation.

The next level is moderate sedation, which is sometimes called conscious sedation. During this form of sedation, you’ll likely slur your words. You may not even remember the bulk of the appointment.

The third level is deep sedation. At this level, you’ll be drowsy. You may fall asleep now and then, but you can be easily awakened.

Finally, the last level is the use of general anesthesia. This is used during tooth removal or a root canal.

What Types of Sedation Are Used?

Understandably, you may wonder what types of sedation techniques dentists use. One of the most popular techniques used is a sedation gas that you breathe in. This is known as nitrous oxide or laughing gas. It’s combined with oxygen in a mask that you wear over your nose. The gas relaxes you and may even amuse you after a little while. It’s not uncommon for people to have a case of the giggles.

Dentists are able to easily control how much sedation you receive. It’s also easy for the gas to wear off quickly, so you can return to a fully conscious state quickly. This is the only technique that allows you to drive yourself home afterward.

Another technique is an oral sedative. Depending on the procedure, you may receive a mild oral sedative or a moderate one. One of the most popular kinds of sedation pills is Halcion. This comes from the family of Valium. Patients must take it an hour before the procedure. While you’ll remain awake, you’ll be quite drowsy and feel slightly out of it. This technique is one of the most commonly used in sedation dentistry. While you may fall asleep, you are still capable of waking by a shake of the shoulder.

IV is another technique to distribute the sedative. An IV inserts into a vein, and the sedative enters your blood directly. This makes the effect happen quicker. This technique also allows dentists to adjust your sedation levels as needed throughout the appointment.

General anesthesia is the last technique. This is a medication that you will take that will put you to sleep. It isn’t easy to wake up after general anesthesia, so it may take some time before you are awake and able to leave the office. You’ll also need someone to drive you home.

How Sedation Dentistry Can Help

Clearly, sedation dentistry can be great at relaxing those who may be afraid of seeing the dentist. When you visit a sedation dentist, you can receive the oral care that you need. This will improve your oral health and your overall health. You can fight off cavities and limit gum disease with regular teeth cleanings.

Learn More at Lovett Dental Webster

Besides sedation dentistry, Lovett Dental Webster also offers the following services:

Stop putting off your oral care. Sedation can make going to the dentist easier than ever. Contact Lovett Dental Webster at 832-932-5584, or contact us online to schedule expert sedation dentistry services.