Sedation or “sleep” dentistry can also be called painless dentistry. Any dental treatment that is performed while you are sedated or unconscious is part of sedation dentistry. Pharmacological agents are administered into your body to slow down your conscious awareness during the dental treatment.
Your dentist uses sedation not only address the pain. It is also administered to address your nervous feeling of getting major dental work.
Sedation is not recommended for every dental patient, but it is particularly suitable for:
- Patients with dental anxiety
- Fear of the dentist or dental fear or phobia
- Fear of dental pain
- Special or non-cooperative patients who need dental treatment (e.g. young children)
- Those who need multiple extractions
- Patients who require sedation dental surgery such as bone grafts or sinus lift for dental implant placement
Here are some perks of sedation dentistry:
- More comfort during dental treatment
- Lower cost
- You won’t even know you had a major dental procedure
- More patient cooperation for patients with anxiety
- Easier for the dentist to perform treatment
- Saves time for both the dentist and patient