Can You Really Relax in the Dentist’s Chair?

Does the thought of having your teeth cleaned make your entire body tense with fear? Would you rather endure the agony of a toothache than step foot in a dentist’s office? You’re not alone. A lot of people are so phobic about going to the dentist that they prefer not to have any treatment. For people who avoid dentists, sedation dentistry may take away some of their anxiety. Sedation can be used for everything from invasive procedures to a simple tooth cleaning. How it’s used depends on the severity of the fear.

You breathe nitrous oxide — otherwise known as “laughing gas” — combined with oxygen through a mask that’s placed over your nose. The gas helps you relax. Your dentist can control the amount of sedation you receive, and the gas tends to wear off quickly. This is the only form of sedation where you may be able to drive yourself home after the procedure. Sedation is most appropriate for people with a real fear or anxiety that is preventing them from going to the dentist. Intervention of general anesthetist is mandatory to monitor the vital signs during the procedure.

Commonly known as ‘sleep dentistry’, Intravenous Sedation is different from general anesthesia and does not carry the risks associated with general anesthesia. Patients under IV Sedation will remain partially conscious throughout their treatment. However, during this state time passes very quickly, and patients will remember very little, if any, of their treatment. Performed within the Dr Arul's Dental, Facial Plastic, Hair Transplant Surgeries Clinic by a trained anesthetist, this is also a great option for patients who require extensive or multiple treatments in a single appointment.