Pain Free Sedation Dentistry in Calgary
One of the greatest worries about visiting the
dentist is the potential pain it can cause. Discuss your concerns, including
where your pain threshold and pain tolerance stand, with your dentist so they
can determine which type of sedation dentistry in Calgary will help manage
your pain the best.
Reducing your pain can be done with several
techniques. The first on our list does not involve sedation dentistry in
Calgary. It is a good option if you aren’t feeling fearful or anxious. You can
sometimes try it first and then progress to one of the sedation options if
needed.
Techniques for Pain-Free Dentistry
To ensure you don’t feel any pain during your
dental work, your dentist has a number of methods that can help you relax and
feel comfortable:
Local Anesthesia
Your dentist may use local anesthesia to numb
your mouth. This technique works by blocking the nerves that send pain and
sensory signals to your brain. Your dentist might use a topical anesthetic in a
cream or gel form to first numb the surface area before injecting a local
anesthetic. Often, injectable anesthetics are used when filling cavities,
treating gum disease or preparing teeth for crowns.
Nitrous
Oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is
commonly used to reduce anxiety during dental treatment. This is administered
through a small nasal mask. Patients can expect to feel relaxed, but they will
remain conscious through their procedure. The effects of the gas will wear off
quickly once the mask is removed.
Oral
Sedation
To help with anxiety during a dental procedure,
your dentist can also offer you sedative medication in the form of a pill. You
will usually take the pill shortly before your appointment to ensure they are
working by the time you arrive for treatment.
Intravenous
Sedation
Another common method of anxiety management at
the dentist’s office is intravenous sedation. It involves a dentist directly
injecting a sedative drug into a vein, causing a deeper form of sedation. You
may not be aware of what is going on, and your dentist may keep you in the
chair longer to monitor your recovery as you wake up. In these cases, patients
should bring a friend or family member to escort them home as the effects may
take time to fully wear off.
General
Anesthesia
This method involves the patient being asleep for
the entire procedure. Specially trained professionals will administer the
medications and monitor your care throughout the entire procedure.
There is no reason to avoid the dentist out of
fear that the experience will include pain. As you can see, there are many ways
to avoid the pain related to dental procedures. These can include numbing, but
also sedation dentistry in Calgary so that you will not feel pain, but will
also experience a sense of calm and relaxation.
Many sedation options can also create short term
amnesia. This helps patients who have experienced trauma in the past as it will
not worsen their fears of visiting the dentist when they need to.