Since its invention, sedation dentistry has become an important aspect of modern-day dentistry, helping many patients fulfill their dental needs and have that fuller smile. This is because there are patients, especially kids, who cannot keep calm during a dental procedure, but thanks to sedation dentistry, the drug used by the pediatric dentist near you, the dental procedure will go on smoothly.
It is important to note that not every dentist can perform sedation dentistry in Houston, TX; therefore, it is imperative to check for special certification from the dentist to go ahead and perform the dental procedure using sedation dentistry.
There are tips that you should follow before undergoing sedation to ensure you have a smooth dental procedure.
The first tip is to remove any jewelry and nail polish before visiting the dentist.
You should avoid drinking or eating anything 6-8 hours before the dental treatment.
You should not take any medicine your dentist did not recommend before your dental treatment. If you have taken any drug, it is vital to tell your pediatric dentist before the treatment.
It is important that you alert one of our friends or family to escort you during the appointment so they can take you back after undergoing anesthesia.
Suppose you have undergone any major medical treatment lately. In that case, it is important to bring in the medical history form so that the dentist can evaluate whether or not you can undergo sedation before the treatment.
After arriving at the Urbach Pediatric dentistry, your child will meet with our pediatric dentist Houston TX, who will start an IV. The IV will be started on your child’s arm or hand. Different sedation medications are used for patients, depending on the age, health, and dentist’s recommendations.
The typical sedation medications include anti-inflammatory, pain medicine, sedatives, and steroids. The medication is administered through the IV into the patient’s bloodstream. When the drug kicks in, you will experience a highly relaxed feeling, free from discomfort, anxiety, or pain.
Take note that you will undergo multiple levels of sedation before fully conscious. Moreover, the dentist will be monitoring your vitals to ensure that the sedation has not interfered with your breathing and other biological activities in the body. This is why the dentist will decrease or increase the sedation drug according to your body state.
There are multiple dental procedures where IV sedation is used. They include multiple root canals, wisdom teeth removal, or tooth extractions. Therefore, when you visit the sedation dentistry near you for your dental procedure, it is important to talk with your dentist about the various sedation options.
There are different levels of sedation dentistry that your dentist can administer, and this is dependent on your needs. This includes the length of the dental procedure, healthy history, your preference, and level of anxiety.
The types of sedation used include nitrous oxide, intravenous sedation, and oral conscious sedation. Nitrous oxide, as known as laughing gas, is administered through a mask that you inhale the gas. Oral conscious sedation is a pill that you take one hour before the dental procedure starts. Intravenous sedation(IV) is the deepest conscious sedation used in a dental office. It is administered through an IV line through your bloodstream.
After undergoing sedation medication, you will experience drowsiness. This effect should subside several hours after the dental treatment. In addition to feeling drowsy, there are amnesia effects that you should expect after the procedure.
The side effects experienced after undergoing sedation medication makes it all-important to have someone to take you back home after the dental procedure.
In addition to having to take you home after your dental procedure, it is recommended by the dentist to avoid any strenuous activity. This is because you still cannot think and work normally, and therefore doing tedious work can prove to be harmful to you and those near you, for instance, handling machines. However, you can go to work the following day after sedation medication.
It is very rare to have any complications after IV sedation. However, if you experience persistent side effects, it is advisable to have a friend or family escort you to sedation dentistry near you.