People with high anxiety can benefit from sedation dentistry. Sedation allows people to attend routine and restorative dental appointments without the sense of anxiety that can typically accompany these experiences. Dentists can offer different types and levels of sedation depending on each individual patient and their needs. Here are some drawbacks and benefits of each type of dental sedation:

1. Inhaled Sedation 

Inhaled sedation is the mildest form of dental sedation. The medication used for his treatment is called nitrous oxide. It is a gas that can be inhaled through your nose during your dental procedure. Nitrous oxide takes effect immediately. Its effects continue until the gas mask is removed from your nose. Nitrous oxide does not cause lingering impairment once its use is discontinued, which makes it an attractive option for people who need to drive themselves home or return to work after their dental appointments.

2. Oral Sedation

Oral sedation can also be used to provide relief from mild anxiety. This type of sedation takes longer to reach full efficacy, so patients are typically prescribed an oral sedative ahead of time. You'll be in charge of taking your medication before arriving at your dentist's office. Your dentist will advise you when to take your oral sedative and whether or not you should take it with food. At higher doses, oral sedatives can provide a moderate level of anxiety relief. However, people who take this type of medication should not drive until the drug has completely left their system.

3. IV Sedation

Intravenous sedation is provided in-office for anxious patients. During IV sedation, anxiolytic medication will be injected directly into your veins through a catheter. Your dentist will place the catheter in a vein in your arm, wrist, or hand. People with a needle phobia may not be suitable candidates for IV sedation. However, IV sedation can provide relief for moderate to severe anxiety. Your dentist will be able to easily increase or decrease the amount of sedative entering your system at any given time, which will allow them to fine-tune your anxiety relief.

4. Complete Sedation 

People with severe dental phobias and those planning to undergo extensive procedures may be candidates for complete sedation. Complete sedation is also known as general anesthesia. During this treatment, you will be given medication that will put you completely to sleep. You'll wake up after your dental procedure is finished, and you will have no memory of the treatment itself. 

If you are interested to learn if sedation dentistry is right for you, consult a dentist near you.