The doctor spoke about the work of sedation in dental treatment

Many people still perceive dental treatment as a test. Someone is afraid of pain, someone is afraid of injections, and someone does not believe that anesthesia can be safe. Maxim Khyshov, chief dentist of the Refformat dental clinic, told Izvestia on November 19 about how modern methods of anesthesia help not to be afraid of the dentist.

According to him, there are several levels of anesthesia: local anesthesia, sedation and anesthesia. Sedation occupies an intermediate position. This is a light sleep in which a person is relaxed, but remains conscious, breathes independently and reacts to the words of the doctor. The patient does not feel anxiety or pain, and the condition is monitored by an anesthesiologist.

The specialist noted that sedation is especially useful for patients who experience severe anxiety before visiting the dentist, suffer from hypertension, increased anxiety, or a pronounced gag reflex. Moreover, for people with concomitant diseases, this method of anesthesia is not only suitable, but also considered preferable: it reduces the likelihood of complications and often proves to be safer than standard treatment under local anesthesia.

"For some, the dentist's fear manifests itself on a physical level. Sedation allows you to undergo treatment calmly, without harm and unpleasant consequences. During the procedure, the drugs are administered intravenously. They begin to act quickly and are eliminated from the body just as quickly. The patient takes a nap without losing contact with the doctor, and awakening occurs within a few minutes. This method allows for long—term treatment in one visit, while maintaining calm and comfort," explained Khyshov.

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He drew attention to the fact that the choice of anesthesia depends on the specific situation. The doctor evaluates the scope of the intervention, the patient's state of health, and the patient's anxiety level. If the operation is short, local anesthesia is sufficient. With increased fear or prolonged treatment, it is better to use sedation, and anesthesia is used only for complex surgical procedures.

Before sedation, the patient undergoes an examination: he takes blood tests, does an ECG and necessarily consults with an anesthesiologist. According to the doctor, this is necessary in order to assess the general state of health and select drugs that are suitable for this particular patient. The procedure has contraindications: It is not performed during pregnancy, severe respiratory disorders, and severe allergic reactions to medications.

"According to experts, sedation is becoming more and more in demand. People stop putting up with pain and anxiety by choosing calm and controlled treatment. Modern medicine strives not only to relieve pain, but also to make the process as comfortable as possible. Sedation helps to regain trust in the dentist and stop being afraid of treatment," the expert concluded.

On November 18, Anastasia Kardakova, a periodontist, dentist and expert at REVIXAN, told Izvestia about the health-threatening symptoms in her mouth. According to her, a thin plaque on the tongue in the morning is a variant of the norm: it appears due to dryness or leftover food. However, if the plaque is dense, cheesy, accompanied by a burning sensation and an unpleasant odor, this may indicate a fungal infection (oral candidiasis).

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