Dental implants are the ultimate solution to restore your beautiful smile if you have lost a tooth because of time, decay, or an accident. This cosmetic dental restoration procedure not only restores your appearance but also maintains the health of your surrounding teeth and jaw.
However, as miraculous as dental implants are, many people who suffer from dental anxiety or phobia might avoid getting dental implants. In this case, such people can rely on Sedation Dentistry to undergo dental implant procedures in a more relaxing environment. Thanks to sedation and anaesthesia, they don’t have to worry about discomfort during this dental procedure.
Let’s learn more about the role of sedation dentistry in the dental implant procedure.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are an alternative to dentures and are basically fake teeth that replace your missing teeth. The procedure involves installing an implant using a screw that fuses to the jawbone to keep your new artificial tooth in place.
For people with a missing tooth, a dental implant is an optimal way to replace the tooth and make it completely unnoticeable. Today’s advanced technology allows an implant tooth to properly fuse to the jawbone, preventing you from undergoing the procedure more than once. Once the implant is correctly secured in place, you can undergo regular dental checkup and cleaning.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is the branch of dentistry that involves using sedation medicines to eliminate the pain a patient might feel from a dental procedure. In addition, sedation techniques by oral surgeons can help eliminate the emotional distress of dental appointments by calming and relaxing the patient. When a patient is comfortable, it allows the dentist to perform the necessary treatment to the highest standard.
When is Sedation Used for Dental Implants?
Dentists mainly recommend patients who have dental phobia opt for sedation dentistry during dental implant procedures. Additionally, sedation can help patients undergo the implant procedure who:
- Have a physical impairment preventing them from sitting still for prolonged dental treatments
- Have a neurological impairment due to which they can’t sit still or hold their mouth open for prolonged periods
- Have difficulty relinquishing control
- Have sensitive teeth or a strong gag reflex
- Fear confined spaces
What Type of Sedation is Best for a Dental Implant Procedure?
Sedation dentistry can offer people undergoing the dental implant procedure different types of sedatives to put them to sleep or make them completely unconscious.
When it comes to sedation during dental implants, dentists can use the following forms of sedation during the procedure:
- Inhalation sedation
Inhalation sedation or laughing gas is the most common form of sedation. The dentist gives the patient nitrous oxygen through a face mask placed over his nose, providing him with a relaxing sensation and calming their anxiety during the dental implant procedure. The effects of the gas wear off within ten minutes after removing the mask.
- Oral sedation
Oral sedation involves giving the patient a pill an hour before the dental implant procedure to relax his anxious mind. Also known as conscious sedation, the most common medications used are Valium and Halcion. Depending on the medication dosage, the patient might feel drowsy and even fall asleep during the treatment but can be easily woken up if needed.
- IV sedation
Intravenous or IV sedation works quickly by your dentist administering drugs through an IV straight into your veins. It gives the anaesthesia team and the dentist the ability to adjust the sedation level to provide you with the right amount of comfort, depending on the dental implant procedure demand.
How to Prepare for Sedation Dental Implant Procedure?
During your dental implant consultation, your dentist will let you know whether you are an ideal candidate for sedation dentistry and which method of sedation can be used.
If your dentist suggests oral or IV sedation, you might not be able to drive your car after the dental implant procedure. In such a case, it’s advisable to arrange a ride to take you home from the dental appointment.
Depending on the complexity of the dental implant procedure and the form of sedation being administered, your dentist might recommend you take a few extra preparation steps. For instance, you might be asked not to eat anything for 12 hours before IV sedation unless you are on medication that requires you to have food.
Summing up it all!
Dental implants create a strong foundation for the artificial tooth that’s used to replace the tooth you lost due to decay, accident, or time. They help preserve your facial structure and prevent bone from deteriorating. Moreover, dental implants appear and function like natural teeth, allowing you to go for regular Dental Checkup and Cleaning as before.
However, some people fear visiting the dentist because of their past trauma and, thus, miss out on the opportunity to replace their missing teeth with dental implants. In such a case, sedation dentistry comes for help as administering sedation helps relax the patient enough to undergo dental treatments comfortably.
