Oral Sedation - What is it? How does it work?

WHAT IS ORAL SEDATION?

Oral sedation is a sedation method that uses oral medication to make a patient drowsy, relaxed, and less anxious, while still allowing them to be awakened to respond to commands.

 The patient may drift in and out of sleep but can be easily roused and may have limited memory of the procedure afterward, making it suitable for longer or more complex treatments.

HOW IT WORKS?

1) Your dentist will prescribe a sedative, often a benzodiazepine like Valium or Halcion. 

2) You take the medication at a predetermined time before your appointment. 

3) The medication impacts the brain to create feelings of relaxation and reduce anxiety. 

4) You will be conscious and able to respond if needed, though you may feel drowsy and may even fall asleep during the procedure. 

5) The sedative creates a sense of amnesia, meaning you may have little to no memory of the dental work. 

WHAT TO KNOW:

Before your appointment:

You’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment and stay with you for a few hours afterward. 

During the procedure:

You will remain conscious but in a deeply relaxed state. The level of sedation can vary based on the dosage, which is calculated based on your age, weight, and medical history. 

After the procedure:

The effects can last for several hours, so you should not drive or operate machinery for at least 24 hours. It's highly advised to take the day to rest and recover. 

Safety:

Oral sedation is a safe and effective way to manage fear and discomfort. It is important to inform your dentist of any other medications or substances you are taking, especially other central nervous system depressants like alcohol.

WHY USE ORAL SEDATION? WHO SHOULD USE ORAL SEDATION?

- Patients who have dental anxiety or phobia

Can calm nerves and reduce fear, allowing people to undertake treatment that they normally wouldn’t undergo.

- Patients with a strong gag reflex

Relaxed state can diminish the gag reflex, making the treatment more tolerable and smooth for the patient and clinical team.

- Patients with special needs

Can help patients who have developmental or physical abilities, who may have difficulty remaining still in the chair.

- Patients with low pain tolerance

Can increase a patient’s pain threshold even further than local anesthesia.

- Patients with a fear of needles

With oral sedation, patients who don’t like needles can avoid them.

- Lengthy or complex procedures

Sedation can help a patient sit through lengthy procedures, and allow the dentist to complete the procedure in one visit

If you are interested in oral sedation, please contact us for more details.