Sedation Dentistry in Calgary
If you’re nervous about complex dental work, or would just rather the time fly by a little quicker, ask about dental sedation during your next examination. It offers a number of benefits for both you, the patient, and the dentist, which can aid in better treatment.
Oral conscious sedation is a popular way to help you relax during procedures. You will be in a sleepy state, but can easily be woken with a tap on the shoulder. After the procedure, patients often report that they don’t remember a thing. This is ideal for those with a dental phobia.
To find out if you’re a candidate for dental sedation, book your consultation with us at Dental 360 today.
The benefits of sedation dentistry
Dental sedation is often used to help patients with dental phobia undergo dental procedures. You may avoid treatment if you’re afraid, so dental sedation can help to prevent dental problems from becoming worse.
It isn’t only those with a dental phobia who can benefit from oral conscious sedation before a procedure. If you have a sensitive gag reflex, dental sedation can help you to relax and make procedures more comfortable.
In situations where complex work is required, sedation can help to make the time fly by. Complex oral surgery and restorations can take hours in the dentist’s chair. With oral sedation, this time will seem to pass by much more quickly, and you won’t remember a thing. Dr. Meyer may be able to reduce the number of visits and complete complex work all at once.
Some patients do still experience discomfort, no matter how much local anesthetic is used. If you’re resistant to freezing, or just sensitive to the sights and sounds of the dental office, sedation dentistry will ensure you are more relaxed and don’t remember the procedure.
And finally, there are benefits for the dentist, too. When you’re relaxed, you’re less likely to flinch, move, or tense up. A predictable patient is much easier to work with, so Dr. Meyer can focus on doing his best work when he knows you aren’t uncomfortable or afraid.
Common dental sedation procedures
Dental sedation is often used during long or complex procedures to help patients to relax. This includes:
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Root canal treatment
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Wisdom tooth extraction
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Dental implants
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Complex restorations with multiple steps
By getting all dental work done at once, you only need to take one day off work, take one trip to the dentist and make arrangements for one recovery period. Those short on time will appreciate the efficiency of sedation dentistry.
Exploring dental sedation in Calgary
Before determining if you are a suitable candidate for dental sedation, you will need a comprehensive exam. This will explore your medical history to determine if you have any conditions that would rule you out as a candidate. Dr. Meyer will also complete a full dental exam to make sure he has a comprehensive picture of your health.
If you are a candidate for sedation dentistry, you will need to arrive at your appointment one hour earlier. You will also need a companion to drop you off at your appointment and then pick you up when it is finished. Your companion will need to take you home and then stay with you for 24 hours after the appointment to make sure you are safe.
When you arrive at the practice, you will be given a pill to take. This will typically take one hour to take effect. You will start to feel very drowsy and may feel like going to sleep. The dental procedure can then begin. Most patients sleep through their procedure. You might drift in and out of sleep. If needed, Dr. Meyer will be able to wake you and you will be able to respond to questions.
After your appointment, your companion should take you home and stay with you. Most patients sleep off the sedation and feel back to normal after 4-6 hours. Others will sleep for longer and wake feeling refreshed. Once the sedation has worn off, you won’t remember the procedure.