There are three main types of sedation dentistry. At our Columbus, Ohio, office, our patients vastly prefer to be sedated orally. However, you have your choice when considering how you would like your dental work to be done. Here are the three ways sedative can be received:
• Orally. Sedative can be ingested via pill or liquid in a small dose for light to moderate sedation. Generally, this leaves the patient relaxed and calm, but able to respond to purposeful interaction from the dentist. This method is preferred among patients and dentists alike. Patients who are wary of needles and gas love this simple method. Dentists like that their patient is still able to respond to simple questions when needed, or express discomfort during work.
• Intravenously. This method produces a steady flow of sedation and is perfect for longer procedures or extended work. Patients who are anxious about needles don’t often choose this method, however. Intravenous sedation makes it easy for complicated work that often takes multiple visits to be done in one extended session. This reduces the number of visits needed with a dentist and it will only seem like minutes have passed for the patient.
• Inhalation. “Laughing gas” has been around since the 18th Century. It was one of the first anesthetics to be used, though that was long after its initial discovery. Gas had been the most common sedative used in dentistry for a very long time and is still favored by some patients today. It often creates a deeper sedation for longer procedures and leaves a euphoric effect on the patient.
Interested in learning more about sedation dentistry in Columbus for your dental work? Speak to a dentist today about what options are available to you.