Dental Sedation
At the facilities of Dr. Caudry, we improve the oral health of patients every single day. We restore gum health, replace decaying teeth, and give people the smiles they’ve always wanted.
That doesn’t mean we only care about teeth and gums. Here, our primary focus is on the patient. From the first consultation to the final post-operative check-up, we strive to ensure the comfort of our patients. One of the ways we do this is by offering excellent dental sedation options.
During tooth exactions or other procedures, patients have the option of being semi-conscious or completely asleep. Knowing they can rest easy through a lengthy procedure gives our patients great comfort, and that’s something we’re proud of.
Sedation induces comfort and relaxation, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some patients who are wary of nitrous oxide and other sedatives. In this post, we thought we would take some time to educate our readers on the history of dental sedation, its many benefits, and Dr. Suzanne Caudry’s own sedation options.
If you have any questions or comments, feel free to contact us at (416) 928-3444.
The Early Days of Dental Sedation
For as long as there have been dentists, there have been people afraid of going to the dentist. They’ve been afraid of the pain associated with extractions, the discomfort that comes with lengthy check-ups, and more. Even the thought of sitting in the dentist’s chair is enough to send people in a panic.
Even in 2250 B.C., dentists were attempting to control pain and discomfort with herbs, henbane seed, and resin. A thousand years later, the people of India were using wine to ‘produce insensibility’ among patients.
Fast-forward to the year 1540, when Valerius Cordus of Germany, a known physician and pharmacist, introduced what he called ‘synthesized sweet vitriol’—otherwise known as ether. Ether quickly caught on, though it was mostly used to sedate animals. As the centuries progressed, scientists and physicians continued seeking for other safe sedative options.
Nitrous Oxide: Safe and Simple Pain Management
In the 19th century, a Connecticut dentist named Horace Wells brought nitrous oxide forward. When he used a small dose of nitrous oxide on himself during an 1844 tooth extraction, he noticed that it reduced pain and calmed his unsteady nerves.
You might know nitrous oxide by its other name, ‘laughing gas’. It has been used for quite some time, and it is still in use today. While nitrous oxide may not put you to sleep, it is still quite effective. The gas’ principle effects are, as follows:
- Reduction of anxiety and fear
- Reduction of pain and discomfort
- Induces a sense of euphoria
Laughing Gas: What Are the Side Effects?
Many people are curious—and wary—of the side effects that accompany sedation. Rest assured, when nitrous oxide is administered correctly, you have little to worry about. Sedation is perfectly safe!
In most cases, patients feel confused and experience minor numbness in their legs—though these side effects subside quickly. We invite all our patients to enjoy our recovery area while they wait for their heads to clear. Our recovery area is extremely comfortable and even monitored by our facility’s full-time Registered Nurse.
Sedative Administration: What to Expect
Our practice is designed like that of a surgical operatory, and it is outfitted as such too. We have all the anesthetic equipment necessary to carry out our duties with precision and care. What’s more, we employ medical Anesthetists from the Humber River Hospital and a team of specially trained nurses. Rest assured, we don’t just meet the certification requirements for sedation and anesthesia (as set by the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario), we exceed them.
When our staff Anesthetist begins to administer the nitrous oxide, they’ll ask you to breathe normally through your nose. Within a few short minutes, you’ll start to feel the soothing effects of the sedative. You may experience lightheadedness or feel a tingling sensation in your arms and legs.
Twilight Sedation: Total Comfort Control
We like to call our brand of sedation “twilight sedation”. Twilight sedation induces patients into a state where they feel extreme comfort and absolutely zero pain.
With twilight sedation, we can keep your stress, discomfort, and anxiety at bay. We are even able to adjust the sedation levels during your procedure if necessary. If your anxiety returns during your procedure, all you’ll have to do is let us know. We’ll adjust the nitrous oxide levels in a safe, controlled manner until you are comfortable.
The Benefits of Twilight Sedation with Dr. Caudry
When we have the ability to maximize your comfort levels while you sit in the dentist’s chair, we can perform multiple procedures in a single appointment. Instead of scheduling you for multiple sessions and asking you to take time out of your busy day, we can take care of everything in one session.
Even if anxiety isn’t an issue, the length of a procedure can be bothersome. When you’re uncomfortable in the dentist’s chair, several minutes can feel like several hours. To make sure your tedious surgery passes by comfortably, we’ll make sure your sedation levels are optimal. With twilight sedation, you’ll be out of the dentist’s chair before you know it.
Complete Sleep Sedation: The Heavy-Duty Option
For lengthy procedures or individuals with severe anxiety, we offer the ‘complete sleep’ option. With sleep dentistry, you are completely unconscious during your procedure. You’ll have no memory of the procedure, and when you wake, you will feel foggy for some time. We recommend that you have a family member or friend accompany you to and from our facility.
If this is what you would prefer, don’t hesitate to let us know. Not sure which option is best for you? Get in touch with our professionals today for expert guidance.
Learn More About Your Sedation Options Today
At the facilities of Dr. Suzanne Caudry, your comfort is our greatest concern. If you have more questions about twilight sedation or our other services, do not hesitate to contact us at (416) 928-3444.