Whether you have a particularly long procedure scheduled or are simply anxious about dental care in general, you can talk to our team at Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Barton City about sedation dentistry. Sedation helps even the most fearful patients stay calm, and in many cases, it can relax you to the point where you don’t even remember much – if any – of the procedure itself! When you call our dental office, be sure to mention if you think any member of your family could benefit from sedation dentistry in Barton City, MI.
Why Choose Healthy Smiles Dental Care of Barton City for Sedation Dentistry?
Two Types of Relaxing Sedation
A Team of Caring Dental Experts
Easily Accessible Dental Office Location
Oral Conscious Sedation
Have you ever wished you could just take a pill to get your dental fears under control? Oral conscious sedation lets you do just that; you’ll be given special medication that will keep you in a relaxed state during your appointment, which can take much of the anxiety and stress out of having important dental work done. Don’t hesitate to speak with our dental team if you’re interested in learning more about oral conscious sedation and how it could help your next visit go more smoothly.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
When you choose to have oral conscious sedation performed, our team will prescribe you some medication in the form of a pill. You’ll need to ingest the pill at a certain time so that it can take effect before your treatment actually starts. Please note that, as the name suggests, oral conscious sedation does not put you to sleep. There’s a possibility that you could drift off, but waking you up again should be as simple as giving you a light shake.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
Once the effects of the pill kick in, you should start to feel very relaxed. The sights and sounds of the dental office will not bother you, making it much easier to stay calm while your teeth are being worked on. On top of that, you may notice that time feels like it’s passing faster than normal.
The effects of oral conscious sedation can last for several hours. As such, you should make arrangements for a friend or family member to drive you home after your appointment. Plan on taking the remainder of the day off; it’s essential to give yourself plenty of time to rest until the effects of oral conscious sedation have completely dissipated.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
There are many patients who might benefit from receiving oral conscious sedation at important dental visits. It might be a suitable option for you in the following circumstances:
You have anxiety or fear when it comes to dental work.
In the past, you have been so nervous about visiting the dentist that you have canceled appointments.
You have an unusually strong gag reflex.
You are planning on having more than one treatment performed during your next visit.
You require a particularly complex form of dental treatment.
Your mouth is resistant to being numbed with local anesthesia.
Before you commit to having oral conscious sedation performed, our team will need to make sure that it’s a viable choice for you. Most people can receive oral conscious sedation without problems, but it’s not recommended for those who are pregnant or suffering from certain health issues. Regardless of what sort of treatment you need and whether sedation is used, you can always count on us to put your safety and comfort first.
Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry FAQs
What are the risks of oral conscious sedation?
How long does oral conscious sedation last?
Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?
Does dental sedation put you to sleep?
Does dental sedation make you tell secrets?
What are the risks of oral conscious sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is generally safe for most patients. However, it can still present certain risks for some people. For instance, people with obstructive sleep apnea or who are taking certain medications may be more likely to develop complications, so oral conscious sedation may not be recommended in these cases. The most common side effects experienced include nausea, headache, and grogginess. These can last for several hours after your procedure.
How long does oral conscious sedation last?
With oral conscious sedation, the prescribed pill’s effects may remain active for the rest of the day. Because of this, you should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery for 24 hours after your procedure. You should arrange for a trusted friend or family member to drive you to and from your dental procedure. It is best to take it easy for the rest of the day as you may feel groggy.
Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?
If you struggle to get the dental work you need due to anxiety or other reasons, you might benefit from sedation dentistry. Anxiety isn’t the sole reason people pursue it. It is also great for those who have low pain tolerances, sensitive gag reflexes, difficulty sitting still, or trouble holding their mouth open for a long time. It could also be a good option if you have a lot of work to get down in a single sitting. Pregnant women, those with certain medical conditions, and those who are taking certain medications may not be good candidates for sedation. During your consultation, you will go over your medical history with your dentist to determine if sedation is right for you.
Does dental sedation put you to sleep?
Sedation dentistry is sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry.” However, this can be misleading, as it does not literally put you to sleep. However, your memories of being sedated are likely to be fuzzy, so it may feel like you fell asleep. With oral conscious sedation, you may be groggy to the point that you temporarily doze off, but your dental team will gently nudge you awake. You will still be able to respond to instructions and questions from your dental team throughout the duration of your procedure.
Does dental sedation make you tell secrets?
Contrary to popular belief, dental sedation isn’t a “truth serum.” It is very unlikely that you will reveal any deep, dark secrets while you are sedated. Even if you do say something that you normally wouldn’t, you can rest assured that it will be kept within the walls of the dental treatment room.
