The goal of any dentist is to provide a safe and welcoming environment in which to help patients maintain their oral health. Every dentist wants to ensure that patients enjoy a comfortable and positive experience, whether they’re due for a dental cleaning, x-rays, cosmetic procedures, or oral surgery. Oral health is extremely important, and when patients are confident of an enjoyable experience, they won’t hesitate to schedule needed appointments or call in during emergency situations.
It is for this reason that dentists offer conscious sedation options for several different types of procedures. There are certain situations in which traditional, full sedation may be necessary, but some patients would prefer not to undergo general anesthesia unless absolutely necessary. Conscious sedation allows patients to remain awake and able to respond throughout a procedure, but in a comfortable and relaxed state. What are the benefits of this type of sedation?
Avoid the Risks of General Anesthesia
Anesthesiologists are highly trained individuals with the knowledge and skill needed to regulate the administration of anesthesia. Still, any time general anesthesia is administered, it entails slightly greater risk factors than local anesthesia. Pairing local anesthesia with conscious sedation, such as inhaled, oral, or IV sedation, allows patients to avoid risk factors related to general anesthesia, but still remain relaxed and pain-free throughout any dental procedure.
Reduce Costs
Any time an anesthesiologist is required to administer general anesthesia, it’s going to entail additional cost for materials and labor. Again, there are certain scenarios in which this may be unavoidable, but for other procedures, utilizing local anesthesia and calming conscious sedation techniques can allow for the same work to be done at less cost.
Remain Calm and Comfortable
Dentists go to great lengths to ensure that their patients never feel pain or discomfort during a procedure, whether it’s a deep cleaning, a crown, or wisdom tooth removal. However, even patients that know this might feel some anxiety or have trouble sitting still and holding their mouth open for an extended period of time. This is totally natural, and it is the reason conscious sedation is an option.
Dentists can do their jobs quickly and efficiently when patients are calm and relaxed, and conscious sedation helps to ensure a pleasant and speedy appointment. Dentist may prescribe light or moderate sedation, depending on the procedure and the patient. Light sedation allows patients to remain alert, while moderate sedation could cause you to drift into a light slumber. The point is to ensure optimal comfort and positive outcomes with any dental procedure.
