Sedation dentistry is one of the biggest trends right now, yet so many people still don’t know exactly what it entails. Even though sedation is in the title, patients are not put to sleep during the work. Out of the four levels of sedation, oral sedation is the second, meaning it is very minimal and just helps patients relax. Some patients hesitate to get problems fixed or even come in for routine cleanings because they have had bad experiences in the past or just have a big fear of pain. Sedation helps provide a relaxing experience through dental procedures or even just cleanings if necessary.

Adjustable to You

Oral sedation is taken orally, just as the name implies. We will give you a prescription for a pill that you will take about an hour before the procedure. This will help you relax on a deeper level once you reach our office. Most patients still maintain consciousness and can answer questions or follow commands like opening wider when asked. If you do happen to fall asleep, we can wake you up with a gentle shake. We prefer to give the least amount possible for the patient. That means if you require a higher dose to relax, we can adjust it to fit your specific needs.

Reasons for Relaxation

One of the most common questions we get from patients is wondering how to know if they are the type of person who will benefit from sedation. The people who benefit from it the most are those who fall into one of these categories:

·         High levels of anxiety or have experienced dental trauma in the past

·         Trouble holding still or remaining calm, especially children or people with special needs

·         Uncontrollable shakiness from old age, nerve damage, or Parkinson’s disease

If you don’t fall into any of these groups and just hate having dental work done, you will also benefit from sedation.

Other Benefits of Sedation

As mentioned before, many patients do not remember the pain of the procedures. This is a big benefit of having oral sedation, but it’s not the only one. Patients with high levels of stress often fidget in the chair and are very tense. Trying to anticipate these reactions makes the work harder for our staff to get the work done. In a relaxed state, we can get through the work faster and more efficiently. With our younger patients, there’s less need to talk through the procedure, explaining what is going to happen and convincing them to stay calm and still.

Things to Know Before

Driving to the appointment and after is not allowed. Because your reactions are delayed and you are drowsy, you will require a driver. Operating any kind of machinery or performing critical tasks should be delayed until a few hours after you go home.

Please know that we are happy to answer any of your questions. Sedation dentistry is a great service that we love to provide our patients, but we want you to feel comfortable with it too. If you have an upcoming procedure and want to give it a try, we will take the time to make sure you understand the instructions and what to expect.