Men and women all over Centennial suffer from dental anxiety and fear. In fact, this is the biggest reason people all over America avoid regular check ups and dental care. If you fall into this category and experience dental anxiety at the thought of sitting down in a dentist’s’ chair, worry no more. Dr. Ivey of Ivey Oral & Facial Surgery can help by providing sedation dentistry. You may have heard about sedation dentistry before, but you may have also heard talk of anesthesia as well. So, what’s the difference? Keep reading to discover the difference between anesthesia and sedation dentistry.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
According to the American Society of Anesthesiologists, one common type of pain control for dental work is sedation dentistry, which relaxes patients and can sometimes cause them to fall asleep. Sedation dentistry is also often called twilight sedation or conscious sedation and is usually reserved for minor procedures. Sedation dentistry offers tons of benefits for Centennial patients, including:
- Sedation dentistry allows the patient to be awake and able to respond to verbal commands and physical touch.
- Though awake, the patient is very relaxed and calm allowing Dr. Ivey to perform the needed dental work.
- When sedation dentistry is used, less time is needed for the dental procedure because the patient is more compliant.
- Multiple dental procedures can be completed in one appointment when sedation dentistry is used to help relax the patient.
- Sedation dentistry does not require a breathing tube.
- patients don’t remember most of what happens during their appointment with Dr. Ivet when they have sedation dentistry.
- Sedation dentistry allows for a quicker recovery from the medication, meaning patients can visit Dr. Ivey during their lunch break and simply return to work after their appointment with no downtime.
- Dental sedation is considered safer than general anesthesia.
What Is General Anesthesia?
If you are scheduled to have a more invasive procedure at Dr. Ivey Centennial office, he may recommend the use of general anesthesia. When a patient is under general anesthesia, they are completely unaware of their surroundings and cannot respond to outside stimuli. The use of general anesthesia also requires a breathing tube to be used so respiration is maintained and vital functions are not disrupted.
General anesthesia carries more risks than sedation dentistry. Centennial patients will need to be sure they follow the specifics pre-op instructions provided by Dr. Ivey to ensure their safety during their procedure. Patients also take more time to wake up after receiving anesthesia and will require a ride home when their dental work is completed.
Dr. Ivey And His Team Are Here For You
Sedation dentistry or anesthesia can help men and women avoid dental anxiety or make it through their dental work pain-free. If you think you will need either one, be sure to completely communicate with Dr. Ivey regarding your needs.
He and his skilled team are here to help make your experience at their Centennial office a good one. Call them today at (303) 493-1933.
