What Is A Sedation Dentist?

A Sedation Dentist is a specially trained dental practitioner who carries out dental procedures while their patient is sedated. This sedation is administered by the dentist, or by the patient themselves, at the beginning of their appointment.

What Are The Different Sedation Methods?

Common methods of sedation used by sedation dentists include intravenous, oral, or inhalation methods.

An intravenous method, whereby the sedative is administered through an injection, has a near instant effect on the patient. Patients who are sedated using an intravenous method commonly report amnesia -- leading them to believe that their treatment lasted only a matter of minutes. However, one of the big problems with intravenous methods is that patients who have a phobia of the dentist also typically have a phobia of needles.

Oral sedation is a painless, non-invasive method of sedation. In sedation dentistry, the sedation dentist will prescribe a small pill for the patient to purchase at the pharmacy before the treatment. The patient is then instructed to take the pill around half an hour before the appointment time. A responsible adult would then accompany the patient to the appointment to ensure their safety. Alternatively, a dental nurse gives the patient the oral pill while they wait for their appointment.

Inhalation sedation uses a Nitrous Oxide gas, commonly referred to as Laughing Gas, to sedate the patient. A mask is placed over the patient's face and the gas is inhaled. The patient retains consciousness but is in a state of happiness and well-being.

Are There Any Risks?

The risks associated with sedation dentistry are reportedly low (around one in two-hundred and fifty thousand, the same risk as general anesthesia). Your sedation dentist should take a full medical history before your treatment and discuss whether you have any existing medical conditions that may cause problems. Your sedation dentist will closely monitor all of your vital statistics during the treatment and should be fully trained to react promptly should a problem arise.

In What States Do Sedation Dentists Practice?

The method of sedation dentistry is increasingly widespread across America. Leading the sedation dentistry charge are New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Minneapolis dentist clinics. Finding a sedation dentist in Minneapolis, or any other state can be done through the various sedation dentistry associations. These associations are the American Dental Society of Anesthesiology, the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, or the American Society of Dental Anesthesiologists. Sedation dentist clinics can also be found through an online search, or advertisements in your local paper.