In recent years, sedation dentistry has become even more popular. For those who fear complex dental procedures, sedation dentistry is definitely a good option. It helps individuals fight anxiety and discomfort. In San Jose, dentists provide both oral and IV (Intravenous) dental sedation dentistry options.
If we talk about oral sedation, the patient gets a pill that keeps him awake throughout the procedure. The person achieves a more profound sense of relaxation without being put to sleep. It is, at times, called conscious sedation, as the person remains awake during the procedure.
In the case of the other type, IV sedation, the sedative is directly injected into the bloodstream. If someone is experiencing extreme anxiety and discomfort, then they can be given IV sedation. Every dentist cannot perform IV sedation. More in-depth training is needed in order to be done with precision. To get your dental treatment done, contact sedation dentistry of San Jose.
What are the different levels of sedation?
Minimal:
It is the first level of sedation, where the patient remains conscious throughout the procedure. You can even engage in verbal conversations. Your body also acts absolutely normal. You are going to remember the entire procedure.
Moderate:
Here, you can be a little sleepy during the procedure. You will only be able to respond to specific and essential commands given to you during the procedure.
Deep sedation:
You will only be able to respond to the commands when they are repeated. You will be able to feel painful sensations as well. Furthermore, you are only going to remember some part of your treatment. The sedation can be so comforting that the person might doze off.
Which sedation technique is better and how?
The time taken to become effective:
Oral sedation: it takes around thirty minutes to become effective. However, it can take a little more time than that as well. At maximum, it can take an hour. Dentists usually instruct patients to take medicine before they come for the treatment. This way, by the time they come for treatment, they are going to be more relaxed, and the medication will be fully effective.
IV sedation: here, the sedation becomes effective right after being injected into the bloodstream. It helps the dentist get started with the treatment early on, and it ensures deep comfort throughout the dental procedure.
Control over the sedation:
Oral sedation: the dentist here generally does not have control over the sedation. Once the patient takes the medication, the dentist cannot control or adjust it. Therefore, it becomes complex and challenging to achieve the right level of relaxation.
IV sedation: here, the dentist can control the amount of sedation given to the patient. As needed, they can increase or decrease the level of sedation.
Time taken to recover:
Oral sedation: the recovery can take up to a few hours after the procedure is done. Therefore, the patient might need someone to take them home as they will be drowsy.
IV sedation: it is somewhat faster than oral sedation when it comes to recovery time. However, there is still a need for someone to be there for patients once the procedure is done. It will ensure that there is no emergency or the patient is not feeling any discomfort.
Level of depth in sedation types:
Oral sedation: For patients who are not too anxious or feel discomfort, oral sedation can be used for them. Moreover, when the procedure is not too complex, that is when you use oral sedation.
IV sedation: This type offers a deeper level of sedation than oral sedation. When someone is going for a more complex procedure, that is when you can use IV sedation.
Which sedation type should you choose?
It will entirely depend on the specific needs of the patient. Another thing that will be taken into consideration is the type of dental treatment that a person is going for.
