What to expect with oral sedation
Oral conscious sedation is a method that helps certain patients cope more comfortably with dental appointments.
The benefits of oral conscious sedation
Oral conscious sedation is useful in certain situations, such as for patients who:
- Are anxious about dental appointments
- Have difficulty being numbed with local anesthesia
- Have a severe gag response
- Suffer from very sensitive teeth
- Want to have a lot of dental work done during a single, longer appointment
Reviewing your medical history
To plan the best treatment for you, we first need to know about your current medical conditions and medications. We also want to know about any allergic reactions you have had to any medication.
A typical visit with oral conscious sedation
Here is how a typical appointment with oral conscious sedation usually goes. We may ask you not to eat or drink anything for 12 hours before your appointment. Then, about an hour before your appointment begins, you take an oral medication. Because the medication will make you groggy, you need a friend or relative to bring you to the office.
Once you are seated in the chair, we assess how deeply you are sedated and adjust your medication if necessary. For most procedures, it will also be necessary to numb your mouth, but the oral medication you have taken will make this comfortable.
During the procedure, we constantly monitor your pulse, blood pressure, and oxygen levels to ensure your safety. You will not feel any pain or be aware of time passing during the procedure. You will feel very comfortable and relaxed and may even sleep. However, you will respond easily to touch and our requests.
After the procedure, your friend or relative will take you home, where you relax for the rest of the day. For many, oral conscious sedation is a good choice for anxiety-free dentistry.
