WHY IS SEDATION USED IN DENTISTRY?
People choose sedation for different reasons. One of the most common is due to fear or anxiety. Many people avoid going to the dentist because of their fears. Some have never been and some have had horrible experiences as a child or adult. That fear is very difficult to overcome. Sedation, for some, is the only way they will have their dental needs treated.
Other patients are not necessarily afraid, but they have extensive needs. Under an average dental setting, numerous appointments (5-10) may be needed to complete their treatment. This could take months, even years, to complete everything. Since many people are very busy with work and family obligations, it is difficult to arrange multiple appointments, therefore sedation is chosen. With sedation, treatment can usually be completed in one to two visits.
WHAT TYPE OF SEDATION IS USED?
We utilize oral sedation – a pill. We use pills for several reasons:
- Many of our patients are needle-phobic so they would not like to be told that we must use a needle to sedate them
- With oral sedation we can work on patients for longer periods of time
- Oral sedation is very safe
- The pills stay in a patient’s system for several hours after the appointment, so we get few complaints of pain after procedures are completed
DO I HAVE TO BE HOOKED UP TO A BREATHING MACHINE? IS IT SAFE?
No, you will not need the assistance of a breathing machine with this type of sedation. Your reflexes are still intact and you are able to breathe on your own. The medication we use is a very common prescription and is extremely safe. There are cases where people have actually tried to overdose with this medication and have been unsuccessful.
WILL I REMEMBER?
A wonderful effect of this medication is amnesia. Patients remember little or nothing of their dental appointments. This is very appealing for those who are highly fearful and anxious.
DOES IT HURT? ARE THERE ANY NEEDLES?
Patients who have been sedated and have extensive treatment usually experience little discomfort the next day. Because your reflexes are still functioning normally, we still use local anesthesia - you just won't remember it!
HOW LONG WILL I BE OUT OF WORK?
Most sedation patients return to work the day following their appointment. We ask that you not return to work the day of your sedation appointment.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
Drowsiness the day of your appointment is to be expected. Some feel slight nausea, but that is due to the fact that they have not eaten. Normally, patients feel fine after eating and taking in some fluids.
WILL I BE ABLE TO DRIVE?
You should not drive until 24 hours after your appointment. We require that someone bring you to our office and take you home afterwards.
HOW WILL I FEEL?
The most common thing we hear is "I remember taking some pills and the next thing I remember is waking up with my teeth fixed." Most patients remember nothing about their treatment. A few will remember a little, usually toward the end of the appointment, when we are getting them ready to go home.
HOW IS THE APPOINTMENT HANDLED?
You will need someone to bring you to our office on the day of your sedation appointment and you MUST have someone take you home afterwards. You are given a small pill to take an hour prior to your dental appointment. Your companion will accompany you to the office. By the time you arrive you will be very drowsy. When you arrive in our office, you will be escorted to the treatment room, covered with a thick, warm blanket and placed on a monitor to watch your vital signs. After you are comfortable, a doctor and the experienced clinical team will take care of your dental needs. When your treatment is completed, your companion will return you home to finish your comfortable, relaxing day.
