If you are incredibly anxious about your dental appointments, you may be looking at offices that offer sedation services. Heavy sedation methods, like general anesthesia, may be contraindicated for people with certain medical conditions since they can depress both the respiratory system and the cardiovascular system. Thankfully, there are mild to moderate sedation methods that have fewer risks of complication. Here are three sedation options besides general anesthesia.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, has been safely used in the dental field for a very long time and has many advantages compared to other sedation methods. For example, nitrous oxide is minimally metabolized by the body, which means when you are all done with your appointment, the gas should be eliminated from your body within a few minutes. This sedation option could be a great fit for people who are worried about side effects or people who are sensitive to medications in their system.

Another benefit of this option is that nitrous oxide is also fast-acting, so you can feel its relaxing and analgesic effects more quickly than other types of sedation. However, if you have very severe anxiety, then nitrous oxide might not be a strong enough sedative.

Oral Medications

Oral medications often include drugs from the benzodiazepine family, which are known to have hypnotic and sedative effects. One benefit of oral medications is the ability to adjust the dosage. You could choose a mild level of sedation—known as anxiolysis, where you are relaxed but still able to follow instructions and answer questions. You could also opt for a moderate level of sedation so that you'll feel groggy or even want to fall asleep. Your dentist will still be able to communicate with you and wake you with a gentle nudge, so this moderate level of sedation can be safer than general anesthesia and require less recovery time.

With oral medications, you do have to follow your dentist's instructions and get the timing right. For example, they may want you to take a medication about half an hour before your appointment so that the medication kicks in at the right time during your appointment. Before opting for oral medications, it's also important to go over your health history with your dentist. Some patients may have sensitivities or be taking medications that could cause drug interactions.

Moderate IV Sedation  

Moderate IV sedation is different from general anesthesia since it doesn't involve a combination of inhaled gasses and medications to make a patient completely unconscious. Moderate IV sedation is a great option for people who don't qualify for oral medications and who want the drug's effects to work more quickly. Like oral dosages, your dentist can adjust the level of sedation with an IV so that you are lightly groggy or tired enough to sleep. This method is also great for long appointments, like root canals or deep periodontal treatment, since you won't have a clear memory of the procedure.

Reach out to your dentist today for more information on sedation dentistry.