The idea of Painless Dentistry can eliminate all of a patient’s anxiety about going to the dentist for treatment. Nitrous oxide gas and oral sedation are the two most commonly used methods for relieving patient nervousness about dental procedures, but do they actually block painful sensations?
For true anxiety-free and Painless Dentistry, practitioners use a combination of sedation and a local anesthetic. The only discomfort that might be felt is when the injection of anesthetic is performed, but the dentist numbs the area first with a solution on a swab or pad. The main effect felt during the injection and treatment then is pressure.
Nitrous Oxide
Nevertheless, patients may continue to feel nervous about sounds they hear during procedures and the sight of the tools the dentist uses. Nitrous oxide, commonly called laughing gas, has the desirable outcome of making people feel carefree. They don’t mind their teeth getting drilled or having root canal therapy performed at a clinic such as Lewis Family Dentistry.
The gas is sent through a mask over the patient’s nose that this person can remove at any time. That sense of control is a welcome aspect of the mild sedating process. Also, the effects wear off very quickly. The person can safely drive home, which is not the case with oral sedation.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation usually involves taking a medication at the dental clinic about 30 minutes before the appointment, as it takes that long for the medicine to start working. This a stronger substance than nitrous oxide and the patient feels very relaxed. Although it can be hard to imagine, some people even doze off during dental procedures after they take this type of drug. Even if they stay awake, their memory of the treatment afterward may be very vague.
Future Methodology
As technology continues to improve in answer to consumer demand, it looks like injections at the dental clinic will eventually be dispensed with altogether. Other types of local anesthetic may soon be widely available. These include electronic devices that block pain, applications of numbing medicines under the gums, and cryogenic rings that numb the treatment area. You can also connect them on Facebook.
