With this type of anesthesia, the patient experiences a dream-like condition during the procedure. Although they are not under stress, a person is nevertheless capable of responding to vocal directions. It makes sense that the Latin term for “calming” is sedation.
Sedation is not anesthesia—this is crucial to remember. The fundamental distinction is that a patient receiving sedatives does not “switch off,” but instead is constantly conscious and able to react to questions and open his eyes. Even slight euphoria has been reported by some patients, which is an incredible sensation in a dental clinic.
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Sedation in dentistry is essential in several situations:
- The patient has panicky anxiety about getting dental work;
- doing dental operations causes excruciating suffering;
- the requirement for extensive dental procedure;
- sedative sedation permits up to 8–12 hours spent in the dentist's chair;
- hypertensive patients: there is no stress or excitement, thus the blood pressure is normal;
- In challenging situations, sedation-assisted tooth extraction is advised (wisdom teeth, neglected forms).
There are three types of sedation in dentistry:
First, oral sedation
A no-needle sedation technique is an oral sedation. It functions by administering a dose of sedative medication as directed before beginning the dental procedure. The medicine takes 40 to 1 hour to start working. As a result, patients must show up at the clinic one hour before their scheduled appointment time and wait until the sedative medication starts to take effect.
During the oral sedation, patients are awake. They are partially aware of what is happening in the room, though. Contrary to intravenous sedation, the effects of the pills cannot be controlled or reversed.
Intravenous Sedation
Sedative medications are injected into the vein circulation using a cannula to provide intravenous sedation. The effects of IV sedation begin shortly after the sedative drugs are injected, and the technique can be readily handled by anesthesiologists. Although cognizant, patients are not fully aware of what is happening in the operating room.
Whenever it’s necessary, the IV sedation can be stopped by giving the patient some other medications. The sedative’s effects wear off within a short period of time.
Inhalation sedation (nitrous oxide, laughing gas)
The least intense type of sedation, inhalation sedation, is administered by breathing gas through a mask while having dental work done. In Turkey, the gas used in dentistry is the same gas that pregnant women utilize during labor. The process is very comfortable because of the gas, which also significantly lowers anxiety. After the procedure, the effects of nitrous oxide diminish fast without the need for further intervention on the part of the dentist or anesthesiologist. In contrast to other techniques in Turkey, patients who get inhaled gas sedation stay conscious and are more aware of their surroundings.
Benefits of dental sedation in Turkey:
- You won't recall having the procedure done because this kind of sedation in dentistry results in a partial or whole loss of memory. Because you won't remember a thing about the dental operation, this is a major benefit.
- You won't experience any pain while receiving therapy.
- While receiving sedation, you won't have a feeling of time.
- During the therapy, you won't be able to smell or hear anything.
- During therapy, you won't experience any dread or anxiety. Patients who are calm and relaxed allow doctors to do procedures quickly and during the same appointment.
- The overall therapy time is reduced as the patient becomes at ease and obedient.
- Contrary to general anesthesia, sedation in dentistry does not require the placement of an endotracheal tube to preserve breathing. The body's essential processes are running without interference from medical professionals.
- Patients who get sedation recover quickly and can resume their normal activities.
- Sedation in Turkey is less dangerous than general anesthesia.
Sedation contraindications:
Given that sedation alters a person’s overall health, it’s important to understand the conditions that make the procedure contraindicated:
- pregnancy;
- under 3 years old;
- trauma to the head and brain;
- epilepsy and other mental diseases;
- local anesthesia allergies;
- diabetes;
- liver and kidney conditions;
- thyroid and adrenal gland illnesses;
- using medications to decrease anxiety, such as antidepressants;
- respiratory illnesses
The safety of sedatives in Turkey
They have no harmful effects on the body, are completely harmless, and are non-toxic. The usage of ultra-short-acting medicines in dentistry results in their inactivation after a brief period of effect. During the initial trip to the bathroom, they are naturally eliminated from the body. Even minute amounts of chemicals are not detected in the body after an hour or two.
What safety measures should you take before having sedation dentistry?
Ask your dental surgeons any questions you have about the procedure, and get all of your doubts answered.
- Be sure to tell your doctor about all of your recent and past medical conditions.
- You should also note whether you are prone to adverse reactions or if you take any herbal supplements.
You should tell your doctor if you are taking any medications, especially blood thinners like aspirin or some NSAIDs like ibuprofen or naproxen, and cease taking them or adjust the dosage before the procedure as directed by your doctor.
Your dental surgeon or medical staff will inform you and your family of the Dos and Don’ts prior to the operation after confirming through lab results and a medical checkup that you are receiving sedation dentistry.
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