Oral Conscious Sedation
A visit to the dentist can cause fear and anxiety. Patients who experience dental phobia may postpone or avoid vital dental appointment, and multiple dental visits is out of the question. Neglecting your oral health can lead to tooth loss, disease, and overall health problems. However, you can overcome dental fear with oral conscious sedation.
What is oral conscious sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is the use of oral medication in combination with nitrous oxide to achieve an appropriate level of relaxation so that a fearful patient can calmly receive the dental care he or she needs. Most states require board-certification, which involves additional training in dosage, monitoring, and safety. The entire process is simple and comfortable.
At your first appointment, we will discuss with you your overall health and medical history. If you feel comfortable, we will take X-rays and examine your teeth and supporting tissues. This will give us the information we need to determine which dental treatments will restore your smile. Before you leave the office, we will schedule your next appointment and prescribe an anxiolytic, or anti-anxiety, medication.
We will advise you as to when you should take the medication. Accompanied by a responsible friend or family member, you’ll arrive at the dentist’s office more rested and relaxed. We will gauge your anxiety level when you arrive for the appointment. If needed, nitrous oxide will be given to further relax you, and an experienced sedation dentistry team will monitor your vital signs during the procedure. Your friend or family member will accompany you home once your dental work is complete. The effects of the sedative should subside by the following day. It is wise to have a friend or relative stay with you until the medication wears off.
Although your dental procedures may take hours, you will feel as if they take only minutes. Some patients become so relaxed that they fall asleep in the dentist’s chair. Sedation medications have an amnesic effect, so you’ll have few, if any, memories of the visit. You can immediately enjoy your improved smile.
Who should consider oral conscious sedation?
You may want to consider oral sedation if:
- You are fearful or anxious of dental treatment and dental instruments
- Local anaesthetics do not have a numbing effect on you
- You have a sensitive gag reflex
- You suffer from any health issues, such as neck or back pain, which could lead to discomfort while sitting in a dentist’s chair
How do I determine if I am a candidate?
Contact a dentist to discuss whether oral conscious sedation is an option for you. Oral conscious sedation can give you the peace of mind you need in order to undergo dental work. You may enjoy better overall health, an improved self-image, and better quality of life with a healthy, beautiful smile.
Among the most common phobias, visiting the dentist causes many people severe anxiety and stress. Often, fearful patients forego necessary dental care to avoid a visit to their dentist. If you find yourself feeling panicky at the thought of having your teeth worked on, you should know that a safe, comfortable relaxation method exists. Oral conscious sedation alleviates anxiety, so you can face dental appointments with confidence.
What exactly does oral conscious sedation entail?
If you fear dental appointments, call a dentist to determine if oral sedation is available for you based on your medical history and current medications. If you’re a good candidate for oral conscious sedation, the dentist will select an appropriate anti-anxiety or sedative drug for you to take at a pre-determined time before your appointment. These safe, widely-prescribed drugs diminish anxiety and help patients relax.
Your anxiety level will help the dentist determine dosage, which in turn determines your consciousness level during the appointment. Some patients become so relaxed they drift off into a restful sleep during their dental procedures. Throughout your appointment, we will closely monitor your vital signs to ensure your safety. When you choose oral sedation, you must have a responsible adult who can drive you to and from your appointment and spend some time with you after the appointment until the sedative wears off completely.
Why choose oral conscious sedation?
In general, patients choose oral sedation if they:
- experience severe anxiety and fear when faced with dental instruments
- put off important dental treatment because of fear
- have a sensitive gag reflex
- have trouble feeling numb after receiving local anesthetic
- cannot rest comfortably in a dentist’s exam chair due to neck or back problems
What risks and side effects are associated with oral conscious sedation?
The anti-anxiety medications used to achieve oral sedation have been prescribed and studied for years, so potential side effects are widely documented. These drugs are generally safe for most patients and have a low incidence of side effects, which tend to be minor.
Typically, patients who receive oral sedation experience:
- Retrograde amnesia, in which they recall little to nothing about the dental procedure
- Decreased post-operative soreness
- Dry mouth
A very small percentage of patients may temporarily have hiccups after using oral sedation drugs.