the history of sedation dentistry

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


Before looking at the history behind sedationdentistry, it is important to understand thedifferences between sedation dentistry andsleep dentistry. Unfortunately, patients oftenconfuse them or think they are the same thing,yet they have some significant differences toconsider.


Sleep dentistry is an approach that makes use of general anaesthesia, rendering thepatient fully unconscious, so they are asleep during the dental procedure. Certainextensive dental procedures may require sleep dentistry treatment, but there aresome risks to using general anaesthesia. This type of approach is rarely used just todeal with phobias, anxiety or fear, but it is reserved for extensive, invasive dentalprocedures, such as certain types of oral surgery.

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On the other hand, sedation dentistry is a morecommon that is very popular today. It is quite safeand is an excellent choice for individuals thatfear the dentist’s office or those who deal withanxiety when they head into the office for dentaltreatment. Patients are still conscious whensedation dentistry is used, yet they are fullyrelaxed and in a dream-like state. In most cases,

patients never remember the procedure, even though they are not asleep during thetreatment.


The Origins and History of Sedation Dentistry


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.


Before this presentation by Morton, another dentist, Horace Wells, tried todemonstrate that nitrous oxide could work as an anaesthetic agent. This took placein 1845, and unfortunately, the trial was unsuccessful and the audience wasunimpressed by his attempts to use nitrous oxide. However, since that time, nitrousoxide has quickly become a popular form of anaesthesia used by dentists and it isoften used still today.


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.


Sedation Dentistry Today


Although the idea of sedation dentistry goes backmore than 150 years, technology has providedtoday’s dentists with many options to use whensedation patients for dental treatments. IVsedatives, nitrous oxide and many oral sedativesare available. Each type of sedation works toensure that patients are completely relaxed and

comfortable. Today’s sedation techniques are also very safe, especially whenqualified sedation dentists administer them.


Sedation dentistry has an interesting history and it has been used successfully formany years now. If you fear going to the dentist, you deal with anxiety or you need tohave significant work done in a single treatment, talk to your dentist about yoursedation options. Sedation may be the best option for you, ensuring that you have acomfortable, relaxing experience while you get the dental care that you require.

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the history of sedation dentistry

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