Sedation dentistry can help you feel comfortable in the dental chair whether you’re having a regular cleaning, complex restorations, oral surgery, or even a tooth extraction. Sedation will not affect your ability to remember your experience, but will help you remain relaxed and calm.
Effects of Sedation
When you are sedated, you’ll be conscious and able to answer questions and follow directions. Your memory will not be affected, but you’ll remain very relaxed throughout your appointment. Many patients report that time seems to move more quickly. Some describe the sedation experience as a dream-like state. [pullquote]Your memory will not be affected, but you’ll remain very relaxed throughout your appointment. [/pullquote]
A common misconception about sedation dentistry is that you will be asleep during your procedure. However, your dentist will use conscious sedation. The sedation is administered in addition to local anesthetic during restoration, oral surgery, or extractions to reduce tension and anxiety.
A common misconception about sedation dentistry is that you will be asleep during your procedure. However, your dentist will use conscious sedation. The sedation is administered in addition to local anesthetic during restoration, oral surgery, or extractions to reduce tension and anxiety.
Choosing Sedation Dentistry
If you suffer from extreme anxiety when you visit the dentist, sedation can help you catch up with or continue your regular dental hygiene. It can also be helpful if you have more complex work to be done. Sedation is particularly helpful during oral surgery, extractions, root canal work, or placing crowns or fillings.
Approaches to sedation vary depending upon your preference, as well as that of your dentist. You’ll probably use one of these three options:
- Oral sedation—usually Valium
- Nitrous oxide
- Intravenous sedation
The effects of all three types of sedation are similar. Oral sedation will require you to come in a bit early so the pill provided can take effect. You’ll also want to be sure to have someone available to drive you home. Nitrous oxide clears your system much more quickly, so you can probably go home on your own. Intravenous sedation similarly wears off fairly quickly. However, it’s never a bad idea to have someone else drive you to and from your appointment if you will be under sedation of any kind.
If you need to have extensive dental work, oral surgery, or a tooth extraction, and would like to find out how sedation dentistry can help you, please contact our office at 416-922-1012 today.