Treatment – Oral Sedation

Patients seeking dental treatment typically want to ensure they can receive the necessary care in a comfortable, relaxed environment. Moreover, concerns often fall around the level of discomfort expected from having a dental procedure performed, such as a filling, tooth extraction, gum disease treatment or other service. Dental fear and anxiety are obstacles preventing many patients from seeking the oral care they need. To mitigate any pain or discomfort resulting from dental treatment and provide an anxiety-free appointment, a number of dentists offer local dental anesthesia and/or oral sedation dentistry services to wary patients.

Local Dental Anesthesia

Numbing the teeth, soft tissues and underlying bone, local dental anesthesia blocks the pain response from propagating between the nerves and brain. There are a number of prominent nerves and branches of nerves located throughout the mouth and facial regions. Local dental anesthesia services utilize solutions such as lidocaine, carbocaine or septocaine (among numerous others) to temporarily disable innervation of the treatment site, rendering the area numb during the procedure and for some time thereafter. With the teeth, gums and/or bone numb, dental professionals can work to restore health to the area while the patient relaxes comfortably in the dental chair.

Local anesthetics can be used in patients of all ages, the formulation of which will be prescribed by the dental professional based upon individual factors:

  • Age of the patient
  • Degree of dental anesthesia desired
  • Location of the treatment site
  • Overall health of the patient

While certain dental procedures can be performed without the need for local dental anesthesia (procedures that typically do not provoke pain receptors), oral structures requiring treatment can be restored or otherwise addressed without the patient experiencing discomfort or pain. Anesthetized tissues, whether hard or soft, tend to remain numb for up to several hours following the procedure, depending on the type and level of dental anesthesia administered. Following local anesthesia services, patients can go right back to normal daily routines. However, they are advised to use extreme caution while oral structures remain numb, and to avoid eating or chewing until full feeling returns.

Oral Sedation Dentistry

Fear of receiving dental treatment and anxiety over the dental experience often keep people away from much needed procedures and services. While some individuals may simply fear the unknown aspects of dental treatment (for example, having never received a filling), most have fear and anxiety deeply rooted in past experiences. Factors causing dental anxiety and fear in many individuals include:

  • Embarrassment over current state of health
  • Sensitive teeth or tender gum tissues
  • Traumatic past dental experiences
  • Generalized fear of sounds, sights, smells and tastes associated with the dental environment

Other considerations that may lead to the need for oral sedation dentistry services are as follows:

  • Difficulty holding the mouth open for long periods (due to jaw issues)
  • Inability to hold still for long periods (resulting from behavioral issues)
  • Severe gag reflex

Patients experiencing dental fear or anxiety may require assistance in relaxing emotionally, psychologically or behaviorally. In such cases, dentists may prescribe an oral sedative (prescription medication) to be taken at a designated time prior to the dental appointment.

Oral sedation dentistry enables patients to achieve the level of relaxation they need to have the necessary courage or indifference to sit for the procedure at hand. Since the medication is taken at home, prior to the scheduled appointment, the patient is relaxed and calm upon arrival to the dental office. Local dental anesthesia is administered to the treatment area and provides oral comfort throughout the procedure. Though the patient may become drowsy from the sedation medication, they will remain conscious and able to communicate with staff members. A companion is required to drive the patient to and from the appointment when oral sedation dentistry is used to eliminate fear and anxiety during dental treatment.

Quell Dental Anxiety and Fear With Local Anesthesia and Oral Sedation Dentistry

Are you avoiding dental treatment due to mild to severe dental anxiety or fear? Local dental anesthesia and oral sedation dentistry services can help. Contact your dentist today for more information on ensuring your dental visits are stress-free, painless and even enjoyable!