Sedation

At Broadway Dental, your comfort and trust are important to us. If you’re anxious when you visit the dentist, we understand. We have sedation available to relax you, so your visit is as comfortable as can be.

DIFFERENT TYPES OF SEDATION

Some drugs can control pain, help you relax, or put you into a deep sleep during dental treatment. You and your dentist can discuss several factors when deciding which drugs to use for your treatment. The type of procedure, your overall health, history of allergies, and anxiety levels are considered when determining which approach is best for you.

Local anesthesia is a type of anesthetic used to prevent pain in a specific area of your mouth during treatment by blocking the nerves that sense or transmit pain, numbing the mouth tissue. Your dentist may apply a topical anesthetic to numb an area in preparation for administering an injectable local anesthetic. Topical anesthetics also may be used to soothe painful mouth sores. Injectable anesthetics may be used when filling cavities, preparing teeth for crowns, or treating gum disease.

For some dental visits, your dentist may use a sedative, which can induce moderate sedation. Sedatives can be administered before or during dental procedures. Sedation methods include inhalation using nitrous oxide and oral (by taking a pill).

PAIN MANAGEMENT AFTER TREATMENT

Depending on the procedure, you may need a pain reliever after treatment. Your dentist will give you the best option for your needs. Analgesics are used to relieve pain and can be broken into two groups, non-narcotic and narcotic.

Non-narcotic are the most commonly used drugs for relief of toothache or pain following dental treatment. They include aspirin, acetaminophen, and non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen. These can be found over-the-counter at a drugstore.

Narcotic analgesics, such as opioids, act on the central nervous system to relieve pain. They are used for more severe pain. You will need a prescription from your dentist for these.

PROPER DISPOSAL OF MEDICATION

Be sure to talk with your dentist about properly securing and disposing of any unused, unwanted, or expired medications. This is especially important if there are children in your household. Also, take the time to talk with your children about the dangers of using prescription drugs for non-medical purposes.

DECIDING WHAT IS BEST FOR YOU

Dentists use the pain and anxiety control techniques mentioned above to treat millions of patients safely every year. Even so, taking any medication involves a certain amount of risk. You should take an active role in your oral health care.

This means understanding the risks and benefits involved in dental treatment. You and your dentist can make the best decisions about the treatment that is right for you. Working together, you and your dentist can choose the appropriate steps to make your visit as safe and comfortable as possible to help you keep a healthy smile.