Dental sedation is available to help nervous or anxious patients relax so that they are able to receive the dental treatment they require. Here's more about the four types of dental sedation.
Patients suffering from high levels of anxiety or oral sensitivity may be able to receive dental sedation to help get them through anything from routine cleanings to invasive treatments.
The way in which dental sedation is used depends on the severity of the individual patient's fear and anxiety.
There are four main types of sedation:
- Minimal sedation: The patient does not fall asleep. Patients under minimal sedation feel more relaxed but be able to walk, talk and breathe normally.
- Moderate sedation: Patients feel drowsy but are still be able to talk, hear and respond. Under moderate sedation patients still require local anesthetic at the treatment site. The patient may or may not remember the procedure once it's complete.
- Deep sedation: The patient will be asleep and won't remember anything about the procedure once it's over. Local anesthetic will still be required at the site of the treatment since the patient's pain reflexes are still intact.
- General anesthesia: This is the deepest level of sedation. The patient will be unconscious (feel as if they're asleep) and won't feel any pain. Reflexes are absent and the patient requires assistance in breathing.
Dental sedation may be an option for you if you suffer from dental anxiety, general anxiety disorder, resistance to local anesthetic or unusually sensitive oral nerves.