Dr. Craig S. Kohler is a leading dentist in Wilmette, IL, helping patients achieve healthy and beautiful smiles with every visit. Some patients who visit the practice require major dental work, or they may suffer from dental phobia and conditions that make dental visits difficult for a variety of reasons.
Thankfully, Dr. Kohler is also a sedation dentist, using different methods to ensure anxiety-free dental visits. Let’s go over the basics of sedation dentistry and two common means of helping patients relax.
Sedation Dentistry Means a Calm and Anxiety-Free Visit
Sedation dentistry is a great means of giving patients the dental treatment they need while also ensuring that they are relaxed, comfortable, and free from worry or anxiety. Many patients who inquire about sedation dentistry are people who have a fear of visiting the dentist, in some cases experiencing panic attacks during treatment. Sedation dentistry allows these patients to undergo dental procedures without worry.
There are many different options for dental sedation, though our primary focus here will be nitrous oxide sedation and IV sedation. Each is effective, though one may be better than another in certain circumstances and for certain patients.
About Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide sedation (known as “laughing gas” colloquially) involves patients inhaling a safe amount of nitrous oxide gas during their dental visit. This helps patients reach a calm and relaxed state without the need for needles or medications taken prior to the visit.
Ideal Uses for Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide sedation is generally a good option for patients who require basic dental work or generally routine dental procedures. Nitrous oxide sedation will put patients totally under, so it’s generally not ideal for patients who need oral surgery or lengthy dental work.
About IV Sedation
IV sedation involves the introduction of sedation drugs into the patient’s bloodstream intravenously. This allows for a deeper level of sedation than some other methods, as well as a more relaxed state that can be sustained throughout the duration of a procedure.
Ideal Uses for IV Sedation
IV sedation is typically most ideal for major dental procedures. While the level of sedation is deeper, it is not the same as the use of a general anesthetic. Patients who undergo IV sedation will still be able to respond to verbal cues from their dentist but will be so at ease that they will experience no worry or stress.
Nitrous Oxide vs. IV Sedation: Is One Better Than the Other?
Not necessarily.
The use of each of these sedation methods is situational, meaning that the ideal option varies from patient to patient and from procedure to procedure. For some patients, they may be better suited for nitrous oxide sedation for treatment since it does not involve the use of needles and dental work and their anxiety level is low to moderately low. Other patients may require IV sedation because of that deeper level of sedation that can be achieved.
Tailoring Sedation to Your Needs
During the consultation process, we will go over all of your sedation options. We will help you make the best choices when it comes to your overall dental wellness. In addition, we will do our best to provide a calm and welcoming environment for you during the treatment process. By going over your treatment plan, providing sedation options, and making you feel relaxed in other ways, we help patients feel confident about each visit they make to the practice.
Speak with Dr. Craig S. Kohler
For more information about your sedation dentistry options and how they can help you experience a calm and relaxed dental visit, be sure to contact our family dental care center today. Dr. Craig S. Kohler and his entire team look forward to your visit and helping you have the healthiest smile possible.