For most people, a trip to the dentist is no big deal. True, it’s not the most exciting thing in the world to do on a Thursday afternoon, but it’s not the worst thing either. However, for some people, an upcoming dental visit can be cause for worry, stress, or anxiety. Patients who have had negative experiences with dental care in their past, suffer from sensitive teeth or a gag reflex may dread the dentist’s chair so much that they prolong the time between visits or put off care altogether. For these patients, sedation dentistry is a game-changer for their oral health. Sedation dentistry allows a patient to relax and remain calm during dental procedures, from cleanings and fillings to more complex affairs. The experience is pain-free and stress-free, so the patient won’t be apprehensive about returning again when it’s time for the next visit. For these patients, sedation dentistry allows them to get the oral care they need and prevents them from neglecting it out of fear and anxiety. Kevin M. Christ, DMD in Centennial, CO offers sedation dentistry to his patients. This option has given tremendous relief to many.
THREE METHODS OF SEDATION USED IN OUR OFFICE
The office of Kevin M. Christ, DMD uses three types of Sedation for the comfort of our patients.
First, we offer Inhalation Conscious Sedation, Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Sedation also known as “laughing gas”. This is the most frequently used sedation method used in dentistry. All bodily functions remain normal and the person is able to breathe on their own. The patient is more relaxed and may fall asleep and experience some degree of amnesia about what happened during their dental appointment.
Secondly, we offer External Conscious Sedation. ‘Orally Administered Sedation’ is administered by taking a pill. All body functions remain normal and the person is able to breathe on their own. The patient will often fall asleep. Some degree of amnesia is common. The disadvantage with this method of sedation is that the level of sedation for each person is not predictable or controllable. For some patients, this type of sedation may be ineffective.
The third type of sedation we offer is IV Sedation, also known as Deep Conscious Sedation, and is commonly used by Oral Surgeons and Anesthesiologists. Our office utilizes an outside Anesthesiologist. With this type of sedation, medications are administered directly into the bloodstream. This is not a General Anesthesia. The patient can communicate and is breathing on their own. The greatest advantage of IV Sedation is that if someone is not sedated enough, the doctor can administer more medication and the effects are immediate. The drugs used for IV Sedation are more effective than the same drugs taken orally. There is a more profound amnesia associated with this technique and better control. If you’ve had negative dental experiences in the past that keep you from making regular appointments, you may want to consider sedation. It will allow you to relax, give you a more pleasant experience, and ensure that you will continue to get the regular care you need for a healthy mouth.
To learn more about sedation dentistry, visit https://www.5280dentist.co or call the office at 303-792-9100.
The office of Kevin M. Christ, DMD serves patients in Centennial, Englewood, Littleton, Lonetree and the greater Denver area.
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