Oral conscious sedation is a wonderful option for patients who need more than just nitrous oxide. It allows many people to be comfortably sedated through an entire dental visit using just a small pill.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Conscious sedation dentistry is a modern technique that lets even the most high-fear patient have a relaxing and comfortable dental visit. Since the patient is comfortable, we are able to accomplish work that would normally take multiple appointments in just one easy visit. There are a number of conscious sedation techniques, but they all have certain things in common. While the goal of general anesthesia is for the patient to sleep, in dentistry, it is much more common to use conscious sedation, where the patient is sedated and comfortable yet still awake. When we utilize oral conscious sedation, you don’t really fall asleep, even though sometimes it feels like you did. That’s because sedation feels so relaxing and peaceful that the patient doesn’t even notice the passing of time. Many of the medications used in conscious sedation have an amnesiac effect as well, leaving patients with little or no memory of their dental appointment and further adding to the feeling that the patient was asleep.
Is Oral Conscious Sedation right for me?
Oral sedation is wonderful and incredibly effective for most healthy adults. For many, it is the answer they have been looking for all their life. The friendly dental team would be more than happy to discuss oral conscious sedation if any of the following sounds like you:
- You are uncomfortable in the dentist’s office
- You are too scared to even call the dentist and make an appointment
- You can’t stand the smell and sounds of the dentist’s office
- You are delaying treatment you know you need
- You are in pain when you eat, but too anxious about the dentist to take care of it
- You are unable to find a dentist that you feel you can trust
- You have trouble getting numb – the anesthetic doesn’t seem to work on you
- You are afraid to smile
- You are concerned about how many dental appointments you know you’ll need
- You are looking for a way to have the work of several appointments done in just one or two
- You remember bad experiences with a dentist in your past
- You need your wisdom teeth removed
- You have sensitive teeth
- You have a strong gag reflex, especially when the dentist is working in your mouth
- You have trouble with jaw soreness when you have to keep your mouth open
- You have back or neck pain when you sit in a dental chair
- You are afraid of needles
What Can I Expect from Oral Conscious Sedation?
Generally, you will be given a prescription for a pill to take before your appointment. Since this is sedative medication, you will need a companion to drive you to the appointment. Once you arrive, the team will begin monitoring your vital signs, including heart rate and blood pressure, to make sure that you stay completely safe through the procedure. The doctor will then assess your level of sedation, and determine the proper dosage of medication to administer. The dentistry will all be performed while you are relaxed and totally comfortable. When it is safe for you to travel, your companion will take you home, and then you will rest comfortably for the rest of the day.
Is Oral Conscious Sedation Safe?
While all methods of sedation are very safe, the history of oral sedation has been especially safe as well as very effective. We use very common medications that are extremely safe and widely prescribed. Your vital signs will be constantly monitored from the moment you arrive at the office through the appointment and until the doctor is certain you are ready to leave. The entire dental team is highly trained in safety and emergency procedures, making the dentist’s office one of the safest places you can be!
