The History of Sedation Dentistry

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The History of Sedation Dentistry
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For many people, heading to the dentist causes
feelings of anxiety and fear. However, sedation
dentistry provides these patients with a way they
can relax when dental treatments are required
instead of dealing with panic, anxiety and fear.
Sedation dentistry is not a new concept, although
it has evolved significantly over time. A look at
the history behind sedation and sleep dentistry
finds that this type of dentistry has a long,
rich history. Here is a closer look at the
history behind sedation dentistry, as well as a
look at how sedation has evolved today.
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Understanding the Differences Between Sedation
Dentistry and Sleep Dentistry
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Before looking at the
history behind sedation

dentistry, it is important to understand the

differences between sedation
dentistry and
sleep
dentistry. Unfortunately, patients often

confuse them or think they are the
same thing,
yet they have
some significant differences to

consider.
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Sleep dentistry is an approach that makes use of
general anaesthesia, rendering the patient fully
unconscious, so they are asleep during the dental
procedure. Certain extensive dental procedures
may require sleep dentistry treatment, but there
are some risks to using general anaesthesia. This
type of approach is rarely used just to deal with
phobias, anxiety or fear, but it is reserved for
extensive, invasive dental procedures, such as
certain types of oral surgery.
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On the other hand, sedation
dentistry is a more
common
that is very popular today. It is quite safe

and is an excellent choice for
individuals that

fear the dentists office or those who deal with

anxiety when they head into
the office for dental

treatment. Patients are still conscious when

sedation dentistry is used, yet
they are fully
relaxed and in
a dream-like state. In most cases, patients never
remember the procedure, even though they are not
asleep during the treatment.
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The Origins and History of Sedation Dentistry
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Although sedation dentistry is
not a new concept,
it has only
recently become a popular option

around the world. The history of sedating
dental
patients for dental
procedures goes all the way

back to William T. G. Morton, a dentist that used

ether on a patient before
performing a procedure.
This
occurred in 1846 and Morton administered

the ether before a procedure in front
of an entire amphitheatre of students and
physicians. This took place at Harvard University.
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Before this presentation by Morton, another
dentist, Horace Wells, tried to demonstrate that
nitrous oxide could work as an anaesthetic agent.
This took place in 1845, and unfortunately, the
trial was unsuccessful and the audience was
unimpressed by his attempts to use nitrous oxide.
However, since that time, nitrous oxide has
quickly become a popular form of anaesthesia used
by dentists and it is often used still today.
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However, it was not until 1864
that the American
Dental
Association finally recognized Wells for

his discovery. Since the gas is easy to
use, very
safe and quite
inexpensive, it is an excellent

choice. It also helps to raise patients pain

threshold, which is another
benefit to using this
gas on
dental patients.
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Sedation Dentistry Today
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Although the idea of sedation
dentistry goes back
more than
150 years, technology has provided

todays dentists with many options to use
when
sedation patients for
dental treatments. IV

sedatives, nitrous oxide and many oral sedatives

are available. Each type of
sedation works to
ensure that
patients are completely relaxed and comfortable.
Todays sedation techniques are also very safe,
especially when qualified sedation dentists
administer them.
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Sedation dentistry has an interesting history and
it has been used successfully for many years now.
If you fear going to the dentist, you deal with
anxiety or you need to have significant work done
in a single treatment, talk to your dentist about
your sedation options. Sedation may be the best
option for you, ensuring that you have a
comfortable, relaxing experience while you get
the dental care that you require.
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3130 Phone No - 03 9877 2035 Email -
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