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 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 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.
Cosmetic Dentistry