Candidates for Sedation Dentistry: Kids and Anxiety

There are a few approaches dental professionals may use to soothe both anxiety and potential pain during certain procedures, and one such approach is the realm of sedation dentistry. This theme includes a few different formats that help calm patients down or even sometimes allow them to sleep through a given procedure, limiting issues of anxiety and also preventing major pain.

At Trimble Dental, we're happy to offer a variety of sedation dentistry services to our clients throughout Menomonie and other parts of Wisconsin, these in addition to the cosmetic dentistry and other general dentist services we provide. What are the various types of sedation dentistry, and who stands to benefit from them? This two-part blog series will go over everything you need to know.

Types of Sedation Dentistry

Generally speaking, there are three types of sedation dentistry offered to patients:

• Inhalation sedation: Nitrous oxide, or "laughing gas," is given to the patient through a mask that they wear during the procedure. This also helps to calm and relax the patient.
• IV sedation: This type of sedation dentistry is the most potent and usually requires a hospital setting. A sedative is given to the patient through an IV, which will help them relax and often sleep through the procedure.

Which is chosen will depend on a few factors, such as the patient's anxiety level, age, and overall health.

Our next several sections will go over the kinds of people who tend to be the best candidates for sedation dentistry, or who may even require it for dental procedures.

Major Anxiety or Dental Phobias

For some people, even the thought of a dental procedure can cause massive amounts of anxiety. This may be due to a previous bad experience, or simply because they're worried about potential pain.

If you find yourself in this category, don't worry – sedation dentistry can help. Inhalation sedatives work well for people who are anxious but not severely phobic, while IV sedation is usually reserved for those with more intense fears.

Sedation Dentistry for Children

Kids can often be just as anxious – if not more so – than adults when it comes to dental procedures. They may not understand what's going on, they may be scared of the sound or smell of the drill, or they may be worried about the potential pain.

Sedation dentistry can help to ease these fears and make the experience much more manageable for children. Inhalation sedatives are a good option for kids, while IV sedation is generally not recommended for those under 18 years of age.

For more on sedation dentistry and who it's meant for, or to learn about any of our dental services in these or other areas, speak to the team at Trimble Dental today.