If the idea of going to the dentist brings on feelings of fear or anxiety, there are options to ease the anxiety. Oral conscious sedation is as easy as taking a pill and feeling relaxed and at ease after about 45 minutes. Oral conscious sedation does not "knock you out" like some other forms of anesthesia. You will remain awake during your procedure and be able to breathe on your own and talk, but you will be in a deeper of relaxation. It makes long procedures seem shorter and it is also possible that you will not remember part, or all, of your procedure.
How It Works:
You will be given oral medication about one hour before your appointment. You can either take it at home or take it at our office. Once you arrive, you are allowed to rest comfortably in a quiet room under a cozy blanket. During your appointment, your vitals will be closely monitored to ensure your safety. The peak effect occurs between 1 to 2 hours. If desired, nitrous oxide gas may be used in conjunction with oral sedation in order to compound its effects. For safety reasons and because different people react differently, you should not drive or operate machinery the remainder of the day. Many people take a nap afterwards at home in order to sleep off the effects.
Do not eat heavily prior to your appointment. You may take the mediation with a small amount of food, such as juice or toast. Taking it with too much food makes its absorption more unpredictable. The medication should not be used if you are hypersensitive to benzodiazepines (Valium, Ativan, Versed, etc), if you are pregnant or breast feeding, or if you have liver or kidney disease.
If you have any questions about oral conscious sedation or to see if you are a candidate, please call us at (979) 543-2737 .