Oral Conscious vs. IV Sedation
Many people feel nervous about going to the dentist. They might worry if they brushed their teeth enough or flossed enough, if they have a cavity or may need a root canal, and so forth. These worries are normal, and generally they're the mild nervousness that everyone experiences. Some people, however, have major anxiety when it comes to dental visits. This can mean severe anxiety attacks or panic attacks caused by a profound fear of the dentist or dental visits.
The team at our Montreal cosmetic dentistry practice understands that many people experience some level of trepidation when it comes to undergoing dental care, and we want to make sure that all patients can get great dental health. That's where sedation dentistry comes in, which we'd like to cover right now.
About Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry refers to various methods of putting a patient in a relaxed state using special sedative drugs. This does not mean using general anesthesia but rather achieving a conscious but relaxed state that allows patients to respond to cosmetic dentists serving Montreal while undergoing treatment.
Ideal Candidates for Sedation Dentistry
The best candidates for sedation dentistry are people who experience anxiety when it comes to visiting the dentist and undergoing preventative dental care. The dental sedation will reduce this worry and panic, allowing patients to be relaxed during treatment.
Sedation dentistry is also ideal for:
- People undergoing major cosmetic dentistry or reconstructive dentistry treatments
- People who have poor gag reflex
- People who have difficult remaining still for long periods of time (e.g., those with Parkinson's or cerebral palsy)
There are different kinds of dental sedation that may be better for some patients rather than others. The two most common options are oral conscious sedation and IV sedation.
About Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation refers to patients taking a sedative pill before visiting the practice. This pill will put the patient in a relaxed state by the time treatment at the dental practice begins. Patients will need to arrange for transportation to and from the practice since they will not be in any state to safely operate a vehicle.
About IV Sedation
IV sedation refers to the use of a sedative delivered intravenously at the practice. As with the previously covered Montreal sedation dentistry method, patients will need to arrange for transportation to and from the practice to ensure their safety.
Which dental sedation option is right for me?
That really depends on your needs and the nature of your anxiety. Many patients find that oral sedation is quite effective, while in some cases IV sedation tends to be better suited to the patient. That said, if a patient has an aversion to needles, we will make sure to consider oral sedation in that patient's situation to help minimize any anxiety during treatment.
Learn More About Advanced Dental Care Treatment
For more information about state-of-the-art dentistry and how it can benefit you, be sure to contact our Westmount dental care center today. Our entire team looks forward to meeting you in person and helping you make wise decisions about your dental health options.
