Sedation Dentistry

Twenty percent of the population fear going to the dentist. When you were a kid you would have to bite the bullet and go whether you were afraid or not. These days, dentists like to keep their patients comfortable. They know how important it is to attend routine appointments. How dental health affects your overall health. That’s why many dentists provide dental sedation. Sedation calms their patients’ fears. It keeps them comfortable, even for routine procedures. Your northwest Indiana dentist, Dr. Nicholas Cain, is one of those dentists. If you would like to know more about dental sedation, contact Dr. Cain. He will be happy to explain your options.

Levels Of Sedation

There are different levels of sedation depending upon how phobic the patient is of dental treatment. Rather than avoid the dentist and develop tooth decay or gum disease (infection of the gingival tissue supporting the teeth) which can lead to tooth loss, dental sedation is a safe and easy way to relax during your dental procedure. There are four levels of dental sedation:

• Minimal Sedation: Minimal sedation is a light form of sedation that relieves your anxiety and relaxes you. Under minimal sedation you are awake and able to respond to questions and commands.
• Moderate Sedation or Conscious Sedation: Under moderate sedation you are not asleep but you are not completely alert either. You may slur your words, and won’t have much recollection of the procedure.
• Deep Sedation: You are on the edge of unconsciousness, but you can easily be woken up.
• General Anesthesia: You are completely asleep and unconscious.

Types Of Sedation

To make sure his patients are relaxed and comfortable, Dr. Cain offers:

Nitrous Oxide: Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, it is a fast-working, odorless, oral analgesic. It works literally in a matter of seconds reducing dental anxiety and helping to eliminate painful sensations. The effects of nitrous oxide subside as soon as the patient stops inhaling it.

Oral Sedation: Oral sedation is most commonly given in pill form. Dr. Cain often prescribes a pill the night before and one before the appointment. Common oral sedatives include Valium and Ativan to relieve anxiety, and are prescribed for lengthy procedures.

Oral Sedation and Nitrous Oxide: For patients who suffer extreme dental fear and anxiety, a combination of oral sedation and nitrous oxide can be prescribed, providing maximum relief and relaxation.

ABOUT NICHOLAS CAIN, DDS.

As a native of northwest Indiana, Nicholas Cain, DDS, is dedicated to providing excellent general, preventive, cosmetic, and family dentistry services to the community that raised him. To schedule your next dental appointment, call Healthy Smiles today at 219-938-2637.