If you’re fearful of going to the dentist, don’t allow that fear to keep you from your best oral health. Sedation dentistry helps to take this anxiety away. It an be used for routine teeth cleanings to more invasive procedures. How it is used will depend on your fear, overall health and other factors.

Understanding Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. The levels of sedation used include:

  • Inhaled minimal sedation: The patient is awake, but relaxed. This usually involves laughing gas, which wears off quickly.
  • Moderate sedation or conscious sedation: The patient is conscious, but may be slurring their words. Some people become groggy enough to actually fall asleep during the procedure.
  • Deep sedation: This is on the edge of consciousness, but the patient can still be awakened.
  • General anesthesia: The patient is completely unconscious.

Who can safely have sedation at the dentist?

Sedation is appropriate for those with anxiety about going to the dentist. It may also be great for those with a low pain tolerance, who can’t sit still, have sensitive teeth, have a bad gag reflex or who need a lot of dental work done. Oral sedation can be safe within a recommend dose for children too. Ultimately, laughing gas is generally the preferred sedation method for young children who may be fearful of the dentist.

Learn More About Sedation Options

At Greenway Smiles, we are committed to offering a personalized dental experience that you can trust. Our goal is to provide superior dental care to those in Ashburn, Leesburg, Reston, and all of Greater Northern Virginia. We believe that when your teeth and gums are healthy, you are healthier over time. To schedule an appointment with a professional dentist today, call our dental office at 571-222-4243.

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