Wednesday 24 July 2019

Your tooth has been causing you pain and discomfort for quite some time. You take an over-the-counter painkiller and forget all about it. After a few days the pain is back again, this time much more intensely.

A visit to the dentist is in the offing. MAS  However you are petrified at the thought of entering a dentist's office. The sights and sounds while sitting in the dentist's chair tend to be overwhelming and you would rather do anything than be in one.

You are not alone
More than 20% of people are dental phobic while almost all of us have qualms about visiting the dentist. The pain is one reason, for most people the experience in itself tends to be intimidating. Although an experienced dentist with great Chairside skills would definitely help relieve patient anxiety there are limitations to it.

Sleep dentistry, an effective solution
Sleep dentistry or sedation dentistry provides an effective solution for people who find a visit to the dentist an unnerving experience. Sedation dentistry is different from general anesthesia; the patient is in a semi conscious or drowsy state which differs from a general anesthesia in which the patient is in an unconscious state.

Sedatives in dentistry can be administered via the following means
1. Intravenous (IV)
2. Orally in the form of pills and liquids
3. Inhalation

Intravenous or IV Sedation
Intravenous or IV sedation is preferred in cases where the dental treatment is of a longer duration like tooth extraction, root canal procedures and dental implants. The sedatives are administered directly through the bloodstream and the effects are almost instantaneous.

The patient has a diminished level of awareness and vague memory of the entire procedure. The effect lasts anywhere from 2-3 hours to 6 hours at a stretch depending on the amount of medication administered. IV sedation dentistry can only be offered by dentists who have been certified by the state dental board to do so.

Oral sedation
Sedatives can also be administered orally in the form of pills or liquids. While the effect is to a lesser degree as compared to IV sedation, it is sufficient to induce a state of relaxation. The chemicals used in the process are related to Valium which is commonly used as a relaxant.

Nitrous oxide or Laughing Gas
Nitrous Oxide which is better known as laughing gas has been used as a mild anesthetic in dental surgery for a long time. The method is as effective now as it was before and some dentists do offer it as an alternative. It is administered in a gaseous form via inhalation and alters the patient's level of perception to a slight extent temporarily.

Importance of timely treatment and oral hygiene
Sleep dentistry along with the presence of a caring dentist can make the dental treatment a much more pleasant one for all patients. It should also be borne in mind that postponing a visit to the dentist can have long term repercussions. For example something as simple as removal of plaque and tartar if not done routinely can lead to decay, gum disease and tooth loss.

Lack of good oral hygiene which includes visiting the dentist at least twice a year can affect your overall health. Research has proved that patients with gum disease like gingivitis and periodontitis as well as tooth loss are more susceptible to development of heart disease, cancer and diabetes.

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