How Does Oral Sedation Work?

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how does oral sedation work

Many patients report feeling anxious before their dental appointments; a dentist in South Edmonton can assist when it comes to feeling comfortable during your treatment. They can provide you with oral sedatives, a reliable option that will put you at ease while your smile is cared for. 

Who is a Candidate for Oral Sedation?

Only when administered by a qualified dentist is oral sedation both safe and effective. Your dentist will first determine whether you are a good candidate for oral sedation before delivering it, just as with any other dental operation. Before deciding whether oral sedation is right for you, the dentist will first discuss your worries and dental needs with you during the consultation phase.

Most of the time, the type of sedation technique employed will depend on the kind of dental care you want. Oral sedation not only helps with dental phobia and anxiety, but it also addresses various physical issues that may cause discomfort during dental procedures. This applies to problems like having extremely sensitive nerves or a small mouth. Oral sedation may be an option for kids, people with disabilities, people with gagging issues, or people who have a very low pain threshold. Oral sedation in South Edmonton is frequently used during routine dental treatments such as cleanings, fillings, tooth bonding, and crown and bridge work.

In some circumstances, oral sedation may be utilized in place of other sedative techniques. Most people who need this have severe anxiety. If this is the case, the dentist must complete additional sedation training in order to protect patients.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Oral Sedation

Benefits

  • Simple to administer: To keep you calm during the treatment, your South Edmonton dentist will prescribe a tablet for you. The simplest form of sedation is oral; all you have to do is take a tablet about an hour before your appointment, and you’ll be feeling calm by the time you get there.
  • No needles: Many people who fear going to the dentist also fear needles, which are needed to deliver IV sedation. Instead of worrying about it, the patient can take the sedative orally before the appointment.
  • Amnesia: Patients who take benzodiazepines at high doses report having little or no memory of the surgery. This is advantageous for patients with dental anxiety because they won’t remember anything that happened while they were under anesthesia.
  • Safe: Because the FDA regulates all oral sedatives, it is quite unlikely that you will encounter any harmful side effects.
  • You can still communicate: With pill sedation, you may feel sleepy, but you’ll still be awake and able to communicate. Because you are awake throughout the treatment, you can still hear and follow your dentist’s instructions.

Drawbacks

  • Takes some time to work: You’ll feel the effects of the IV and nitrous oxide sedative very quickly after receiving them. Your dentist will advise you to take the sedative an hour or so before the procedure because the effects of pill sedation don’t start working right away.
  • Changes in sedation level are difficult: It makes sense that increasing the dosage takes time because it takes some time for oral sedation to start working. Because everyone metabolizes medications differently, it is challenging to predict when the sedative will begin to work.
  • Unable to drive to the appointment: Patients who get oral sedation feel more at ease but are also disoriented. Bring a companion with you to your appointment of oral sedation near you so you can safely

Want to Learn More About Dental Sedation? 

An oral sedative may be appropriate for you if you worry about going to the dentist or have a fear of needles. Oral sedation is a dental service that Jagare Ridge Dental offers to let patients feel more at ease during their appointments. Ask a member of our team if this method is right for you. 

Call us to book your appointment.