Are you put to sleep for a root canal?
Sometimes undergoing a procedure, such as a root canal, can be quite stressful. Even just talking about a root canal can make people feel uneasy. Not to worry! This is quite common for most people and at Green Grove dental, we want to make sure that your visit to us is as stress free as possible.
Root canals are a big procedure. In many cases, patients are not put to sleep for a root canal. Often patients will receive a freezing or numbing agent to the mouth in the area of the mouth, which needs to have the attention. Patients will be awake during the whole procedure and endure little to no pain, other than the quick pinch feeling of having a needle injection.
Is there more than one option for sedation?
There are many levels of sedation, based on your personal needs. While many patients are not put to sleep for a routine root canal, there are options, should going to the dentist cause anxiety. At Green Grove, we offer a variety of options for sedation dentistry. Depending on the level of sedation you are wanting, there are ways to make your visit more comfortable.
- Minimal Sedation:
Depending on your personal needs, minimal sedation could be right for you. With this, you will still be conscious, awake and alert for your root canal. With this type of sedation, patients feel very at ease. This option is good for those who do not want to have lingering effects of sedation as this method, usually administered through laughing gas, leaves your system quickly.
- Moderate Sedation: (Oral sedation)
With moderate sedation, you will still be awake for your procedure, though you may not remember everything. The effects of moderate sedation will linger a bit longer than with minimal sedation as this will be administered typically by an IV. Many people, while feeling at ease, will experience slurring of words and be less alert.
- Deep Sedation: (IV sedation)
For those who have severe anxiety associated with dental visits, this might be the best option for you. With deep sedation, many patients will be on the edge of sleep or even fall asleep during the appointment. While the sedation method may be deep, the sleep effect will not be. Many people, should they fall asleep, can be easily woken up with a gentle nudge.
Should you choose to have moderate or deep sedation, you will need to arrange for transport after your appointment. The lingering effects of these methods will leave you unable to drive yourself.
What is a root canal & should I choose sedation for it?
Root canals are routinely done by dentists all around the country. Also referred to as endodontic therapy, this procedure is needed when the pulp of the tooth (the tissue deep inside the tooth) has become inflamed or infected. While this type of treatment can also be done for other reasons, to save or restore the tooth, it is most commonly used for root canals.
Your dentist will remove the affected tissue from inside the tooth and from the roots. Once all of the areas affected are taken out, cleaned and then disinfected, a seal will be put over the tooth. This is typically made of a rubber like material that resembles the tooth.
Based on your comfort level, you have the option to choose how alert or awake you would like to be for a procedure such as this. If you do not have a high pain tolerance or you have a negative response associated with visiting the dentist, sedation might be the best option for you. Having this open conversation with your dentist is a great place to start.
What are some of the risks?
There are always some risks associated with any form of sedation. Depending on the level of sedation that you will be undergoing, your dentist will go over the risks that are associated with the procedure. While lighter sedation will leave your system faster, because it is inhaled and your body can process it much quicker, other forms pose different risks.
For those that are wanting to have a heavier form of sedation, having something injected into your bloodstream poses different risks. This takes longer for your body to work through. Along with this, there can be a small chance of complications. There are always some things to keep in mind when thinking about sedation:
- Be clear with your medical history.
- Ask lots of questions. If you are unsure about anything, speak to your dentist as they will be able to help you through your process
- Make sure that you have your visit and aftercare planned out before you arrive at your appointment. For moderate or deeper sedation, you will not be able to operate a motor vehicle and will need to ensure that you have a safe way home.
Sedation dentistry might not be for you, but the dentists here at Green Grove dental are always happy to help. Should you have more questions or want to book your appointment let us know. We look forward to seeing you!