7 Reasons You May Choose General Dentistry Over Sedation
Sedation dentistry has become more and more of a standard procedure when it comes to oral care, with over 40% of the dentists in the US offering this service. Sedation is used when a patient struggles with dental anxiety or is incapable of sitting still for a longer period of time (small children, patients with disabilities or certain conditions.)
There are many types of sedation out there, and they range from mild ones to general anesthesia. Your St. Louis sedation dentist will prescribe the right type for you, depending on your medical history, the procedure you will be undergoing and other information. In most cases, there is a solution for a more comfortable procedure.
But, as with almost any medical treatment, there are potential risks and complications. And, in certain conditions, you might not be a good candidate for sedation dentistry. This is best discussed with an experienced sedation dentist.
You Don’t Really Need It
Many people mistakenly believe that sedation in dentistry is meant to control the pain. For that, doctors will administer a local anesthetic. Sedation is a medicine or a mix of medicines that control the level of anxiety felt by the patient, and it is helping them relax and stay still during the procedure.
If you don’t have any anxiety or fear related to dental exams or procedures, your doctor may not offer it.
You Are at the Extremes of the Age Range
For patients who are too young or too old, sedation might be too risky. Infants and patients of extremely advanced age may not have the strength to take such an intervention. For them, other options will be explored.
You Are Pregnant
Pregnant women often have to postpone or cancel certain treatments, because they can affect their health or the unborn child. While some sedation options are still available in certain stages of the pregnancy, oral or IV sedation will generally not be administered at all.
You Have a Certain Allergy
Allergies to medicine are quite common, so allergies to certain compounds of the sedative mix should be taken into consideration. Unfortunately, many patients only find out that they have an allergy to a medication when they are administered that substance. If you have any allergies, let your doctor know about them.
You Have a Stuffy Nose
If you are scheduled for a procedure that includes sedation with nitrous oxide (laughing gas), having a stuffy nose will make it impossible to take effect. You have two options: you can wait until your nose is clear, or you can receive an oral sedative. Either way, the procedure will have to be postponed, as none of the two will take effect instantly.
You Have Alcohol in Your System
Alcohol is a depressant, and it will interact badly with any sedative. If you still have alcohol in your system, you will be denied sedation.
You Have a Respiratory Disease
This restriction applies to oral sedation since it acts on your breathing to calm you down. For a person suffering from respiratory insufficiency, this effect can be very risky.
In conclusion, don’t assume that your doctor can simply prescribe a sedation option that will work. If some conditions are not met, you will either go through your procedure without being sedated, or it will be postponed until you are able to meet the required conditions for being sedated. Make sure to discuss any concerns you have with your doctor and your sedation dentist.
