Conscious Sedation in Dentistry: “A Twilight Sleep”

Who never dreaded a dental visit? Most people are afraid of visiting a dental clinic for the fear of getting hurt from the dental apparatus used by the dentists and the dental procedure itself. There are many who preferred not to go to a dentist out of fear of pain, or anxiety even for the most basic reason of dental care.

Fear, phobia, or anxiety related to dental visit is not unusual because it is quite normal for a person to feel less comfortable when placed in a position in which they feel that they are vulnerable, just like sitting in a dental chair. It is essential for the patient to tell the doctor if they have any dental anxiety related to their contemplated dental treatment. Suppressing their fears can only lead to a more unpleasant experience and can even lead to more serious physical symptoms brought about by fear.

This is where the concept of sedation or “pain-free dentistry” takes place. Sedation may be deemed necessary for patients who exhibit fear with dental procedures. Depending on the extent of the anxiety, different degrees of dental sedation may be utilized including conscious sedation with sedatives.

Is it really possible to be sedated without losing your consciousness? Recent dental advertisements in Albuquerque area generally refer to this procedure as “twilight sleep” which is intended to place the patient into a most relaxed state of mind during a dental procedure. Conscious sedation is usually performed by utilizing one of three methods - intravenous medicines, oral drugs, or inhaled gases. The type of sedation required depends greatly on a particular dental treatment administered and the patient’s overall level of comfort, and will be decided in consultation with the Albuquerque sedation dentist.

In conscious sedation, moderate dental sedation can be done through either nitrous oxide or IV sedation. These sedatives can induce sedation without losing your consciousness. The patient will be awake and able to respond to commands but will still be in an extreme state of relaxation. If a patient is more worried about the potential side effects of intravenous and oral sedatives, he or she may opt for the inhalation technique in which the effects of the gas disappears from the system almost instantly.

Not all dentists apply conscious sedation techniques to relieve anxiety related to dental visits. It is wise to discuss in full detail with your Albuquerque-area dentist everything related about the treatment before deciding on a method of sedation. Your dentist will seek to work out the best treatment plan that will suit best for you.