What Are the Most Common Dental Procedures That Require Sedation?

There are many dental procedures that require sedation. Some people even require dental pain management for the simplest of procedures. The fear associated with visiting a dentist is rather prevalent, and oral sedation or (IV sedation) is a staple of every dental practice. You can learn more if you visit this link.

Here, we’ll cover some of the basics of sedation dentistry, the differences between oral sedation and IV sedation for dental procedures, and what procedures require them most commonly. In addition, we’ll share some tips on how to keep pain under control after the procedure. 

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry boils down to different types of medication used to relax the patient before a dental procedure. There are a couple of different types of sedation, from local to general anesthesia that will put the patient to sleep during the procedure.

In sedation dentistry, opioid free anesthesia is most commonly used as a local anesthetic that will numb a particular part of the mouth. When a patient has one or two teeth that need attention, it’s much easier to give oral anesthesia. On the other hand, IV sedation for dental procedures is used when there’s a bigger issue that needs to be addressed and when the pain levels are expected to be higher. It’s also used with patients that have a phobia of sitting in a dentist’s chair.

IV Sedation vs. Oral Sedation

Usually, the patient gets to choose what kind of sedation they want. Oral sedation dentistry has evolved a lot, but it’s still less efficient than IV sedation. The former will numb a local area, but depending on the patient, the numbness can fade away quicker than expected. That can lead to discomfort and even pain in some cases. Of course, fear is often the crucial factor. In other words, a lot of people opt for complete sedation even for the simplest of procedures. 

IV sedation dentistry, though, is much more precise regarding the duration of sedation. It also has a much quicker effect. For dental pain management, it’s best to consult your dentist before the procedure so you’ll choose the type of sedation that works best for you. In most cases, you will have the final say, and your doctor will appreciate your wishes and all kinds of feedback. However, in a lot of cases, your medical history and previous experiences with anesthesia can be the decisive factor.

The Most Common Dental Procedures That Require Sedation

Now that we’ve covered some of the basics of sedation dentistry, it’s time to see what dental procedures most commonly require it. 

Wisdom Teeth Removal

Contrary to popular opinion, wisdom teeth removal is a rather common procedure. In many cases, completely healthy wisdom teeth need to be extracted because they tend to push all the other teeth and wreak havoc in the mouth. On the other hand, wisdom teeth are also rather vulnerable and tend to attract cavities which are pretty difficult to fix, so the easiest way to avoid pain is to remove them. 

Of course, wisdom teeth removal can be really painful due to their position in the jaw. And as you probably know, the procedure is often surgical because not everyone’s wisdom teeth actually break out. That’s why it’s one of the most common dental procedures that require sedation. Depending on the position of the teeth, the removal can be done either manually or surgically. Recovery after oral surgery is the same as after a regular extraction, but the thing is that both options require sedation.

Teeth Removal

There are a lot of reasons why teeth need to be removed. It can be extensive damage, cavities, injuries or other dental issues that cause the teeth to become in such poor condition that they need to be taken out of the picture. Whether the tooth was healthy or not before the extraction, sedation is often necessary. Oral sedation is the most common for tooth extractions, although IV sedation can be a good option if a surgical intervention is required.

Root Canals

Root canals are one of the most uncomfortable dental procedures. Without anesthesia, the patient would be in a lot of pain and discomfort throughout the process. The type of anesthesia usually depends on the patient and their choices, but most opt for total sedation.

Dental Surgery

Dental surgery is required for a number of reasons. It can be because of injury, disease, periodontosis, etc. What they have in common is that they all require dental pain management, and recovery after oral surgery may need medication to avoid pain and discomfort.

Emergency Treatment

When it comes to emergency treatments, the quicker the sedation kicks in, the better for the patient. That’s why IV sedation is most commonly used in emergency dental procedures. Also, if the patient feels pain, giving oral sedation may be even more painful. Of course, everything in emergency treatments boils down to utility, so the medical personnel will usually have the last word in deciding what kind of sedation to opt for.

Dental Pain Management After Procedures That Require Sedation

Now that we’ve answered what dental procedures require sedation most commonly, it’s time to talk about dental pain management that comes afterward. Even after fixing, say, cavities, the patient may feel discomfort for the next 12–24 hours. Over-the-counter pain medication is the most common solution in these cases. In other instances, it is not so.

For example, recovery after oral surgery depends on many factors, and the aftercare can be either using pain medication or visits to the dentist every couple of days for regular checkups. Under no circumstances should you use medications without consulting your dentist first, especially if you have other medical problems or are suffering from another medical condition.