Pain Free Sedation Dentistry in Calgary

One of the greatest worries about visiting the dentist is the potential pain it can cause. Discuss your concerns, including where your pain threshold and pain tolerance stand, with your dentist so they can determine which type of sedation dentistry in Calgary will help manage your pain the best.

 

Reducing your pain can be done with several techniques. The first on our list does not involve sedation dentistry in Calgary. It is a good option if you aren’t feeling fearful or anxious. You can sometimes try it first and then progress to one of the sedation options if needed. 

Techniques for Pain-Free Dentistry

To ensure you don't feel any pain during your dental work, your dentist has a number of methods that can help you relax and feel comfortable:

Local Anesthesia

Your dentist may use local anesthesia to numb your mouth. This technique works by blocking the nerves that send pain and sensory signals to your brain. Your dentist might use a topical anesthetic in a cream or gel form to first numb the surface area before injecting a local anesthetic. Often, injectable anesthetics are used when filling cavities, treating gum disease or preparing teeth for crowns.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is commonly used to reduce anxiety during dental treatment. This is administered through a small nasal mask. Patients can expect to feel relaxed, but they will remain conscious through their procedure. The effects of the gas will wear off quickly once the mask is removed.

Oral Sedation

To help with anxiety during a dental procedure, your dentist can also offer you sedative medication in the form of a pill. You will usually take the pill shortly before your appointment to ensure they are working by the time you arrive for treatment.

Intravenous Sedation

Another common method of anxiety management at the dentist's office is intravenous sedation. It involves a dentist directly injecting a sedative drug into a vein, causing a deeper form of sedation. You may not be aware of what is going on, and your dentist may keep you in the chair longer to monitor your recovery as you wake up. In these cases, patients should bring a friend or family member to escort them home as the effects may take time to fully wear off.

General Anesthesia

This method involves the patient being asleep for the entire procedure. Specially trained professionals will administer the medications and monitor your care throughout the entire procedure.

There is no reason to avoid the dentist out of fear that the experience will include pain. As you can see, there are many ways to avoid the pain related to dental procedures. These can include numbing, but also sedation dentistry in Calgary so that you will not feel pain, but will also experience a sense of calm and relaxation.

Many sedation options can also create short term amnesia. This helps patients who have experienced trauma in the past as it will not worsen their fears of visiting the dentist when they need to.