James A. Vito, DMD practices cosmetic and general dentistry in Wayne, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia. In order to help patients feel more comfortable while receiving dental work, James A. Vito, DMD offers sedation dentistry at his office.
For many people, getting a dental procedure is somewhat uncomfortable, but not an overly stressful or difficult experience. However, others may experience high levels of anxiety at the prospect of getting dental work done. Additionally, some people may have difficulty sitting still through a long procedure or have a lower threshold for pain. For these individuals, a dentist may offer sedation services to help.
A dentist might offer different levels of sedation to patients. For instance, nitrous oxide gas, also known as laughing gas, provides lower levels of sedation. The patient breathes it in when the dentist administers the gas via a mask, and it helps the patient feel calmer. Another option is to use an oral medication such as Halcion to lightly or moderately sedate the patient. This option does not work right away, and the patient must take the medication about an hour before the procedure so that the drug has time to take effect.
In comparison, sedating drugs given intravenously work much faster, and the patient receives it continuously throughout the procedure. The dentist can also easily adjust the amount of the drug the patient receives if necessary, which is another advantage of this approach. A dentist can provide additional information about the types of sedation he or she offers and their pros and cons.
