Our dentists are trained and experienced in sedation dentistry, including oral conscious sedation. Dental sedation has helped many anxious and fearful patients restore their oral health and achieve the smile they desire. We provide sedation dentistry as a general dentistry service at our office. We prioritize ensuring our patients are comfortable and relaxed in the dental chair.
Who Benefits From Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry’s main purpose is to relax patients who fear the dentist. Dental anxiety occurs on a spectrum. Some patients may only fear a certain dental tool or sound, while others can’t set foot in the dentist office. Our goal is to enable patients with any amount of dental anxiety to get the dental treatment they need.
With severe dental anxiety, you may avoid your bi-annual dental checkups and cleanings. Sedation can allow you to get regular preventative care to avoid severe dental problems. Sedation can also help patients with intensive dental issues due to avoiding regular dental care. For longer periods in the dental chair, sedation keeps patients relaxed.
But it’s wrong to assume that sedation is only for patients with dental fear. Patients with movement disorders can’t control their movements all of the time. Dentistry requires sharp tools and delicate work in the mouth. If you move at a bad time, we can risk injuring you while working in your mouth. Sedation relaxes these movements so that you can get dental work safely.
It’s also beneficial for patients with a severe gag reflex. Gagging is incredibly uncomfortable for the patient and fights the dentist as they try to perform procedures. It can even lead to the patient vomiting if it’s bad enough. Sedation can relax the reflex, making treatment comfortable and easy for everyone involved.
How Does Oral Sedation Dentistry Work?
Oral conscious sedation provides “light sedation”. This type of sedation dentistry intends to ease feelings of anxiety. The medication for sedation dentistry is generally prescribed before the appointment and taken shortly before the scheduled dental visit.
Patients who have taken oral sedation need a responsible adult to escort them to and from their appointments. As the medication metabolizes in the body and enters the bloodstream, the patient will enter a relaxed and dream-like state. Patients remain conscious and able to breathe on their own. Some patients will fall asleep, and most will have some degree of amnesia.
This type of sedation will take several hours to wear off, and we recommend that you not drive or operate machinery until the next day. Before recommending sedation, we will discuss your medical history and other medications to minimize risk and/or unwanted side effects. As with all dental procedures in our office, we want to ensure the safety of our patients.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Sedation dentistry keeps patients relaxed and comfortable throughout dental treatment. To learn more, read the answers to these commonly asked questions.
How will I feel after dental sedation?
After dental sedation, patients typically feel slightly drowsy for up to 24 hours. Ensure that you have a ride to and from your appointment. We recommend having someone with you for the remainder of the day after your procedure. You should also take off from school or work for the entire day you’re having a procedure with oral conscious sedation.
Can I drink water before oral conscious sedation?
Patients should refrain from drinking water 2 hours before their dental procedure and from drinking or eating anything other than water for at least 6 hours before sedation. Their stomachs should be empty to prevent nausea and other complications. You’ll be able to eat and drink after your procedure.
Are you asleep during oral conscious sedation?
Patients are not fully asleep during conscious sedation; however, they will be in a euphoric dream-like state and, in most cases, are unable to speak. Some patients may fall asleep during conscious sedation; however, this type of sedation should not knock you out. You usually don’t remember parts or all of your procedure under oral conscious sedation.