Perhaps you’ve heard the terms “sedation dentistry” or “painless dentistry,” but have you ever heard of “conscious sedation dentistry?” For some people, the slight variation in terminology can cause confusion, making it seem like some forms of sedation dentistry involve putting you completely to sleep while others do not.
The truth is, however, that the most common forms of sedation dentistry – nitrous oxide or laughing gas sedation, oral sedation and IV sedation – are all various forms of conscious sedation dentistry, where the main difference has to do with the level of sedation induced (light vs. moderate sedation).
After all, the whole purpose of conscious sedation dentistry is keeping you awake, while making you extremely relaxed…so relaxed, in fact, that your anxieties and fears melt away and the possibility of pain or discomfort during the treatment are eliminated completely.
As a conscious sedation dentist in Greenville, SC, Dr. Harris has years of experience caring for patients with a wide range of anxieties and fears about the dentist and working closely with them to determine which method of sedation is just right for them.
Which Form of Conscious Sedation Is Right for Me?
Conscious sedation dentistry can be used for everything from invasive procedures like implants or extractions to less invasive procedures like teeth cleaning. To help put your mind at ease and ensure the most comfortable treatment possible, we offer two different types of conscious sedation dentistry: IV sedation and laughing gas sedation.
To determine which option is right for you, we will consult with you and make a recommendation based on a number of factors, including the type of dental treatment you’re receiving, age, medical history, the severity of anxiety or fear, and several other variables.
Clearing Up One Common Misconception.
Many of our IV sedation dentistry patients do not have a memory of their dental procedure, so they assume they slept through the entire appointment. More often than not, however, they are actually awake throughout the procedure and are able to answer questions and respond to requests (such as “open a little wider” or “bite down”) during the appointment.
That said, we have had sedated patients who have become so deeply relaxed that they fall asleep. Should this happen to you during an appointment, we’ll gently nudge or shake you awake so that we can continue the treatment. Being able to awaken a sedated patient is the main way to distinguish between conscious or moderate sedation and deep sedation. To be clear, however, we do not sedate any of our patients to the point of unconsciousness, even when utilizing the IV sedation method.
Request a Free Conscious Sedation Dentistry Consultation.
Thanks to conscious sedation dentistry, you don’t have to dread the dentist any longer. It all starts with a free sedation dentistry consultation, where we’ll provide a dental exam, discuss your anxieties and fears with you, and review your treatment options together. It’s all free of charge, and there’s absolutely no commitment on your part. Simply request your free consultation here or call (864) 877-9111 to speak with a member of our staff today.