It is only natural to feel a little anxious in situations like dental visits no matter how routine or unique the visit is. Our Surrey dentists talk about how dental sedation works to help you relax during your visit and what will happen once your visit is complete.
How can dental sedation help make my visit more comfortable?
By receiving dental sedation when you are undergoing dental procedures you may not only feel more relaxed but you will also have relief from the associated pain. This sedation technique is used for a variety of procedures, including teeth cleanings, root canals, and endoscopes. If you are a person who suffers from a severe gag reflex, TMD or a fear of pain and/or dentists, you may find this medicine very useful.
Your dentist will determine which amount of sedation will work best for you and will provide you with any instructions that you need before and after your sedation. An hour before your dental appointment, you must take an oral liquid or pill. You may need to take a dose the night before the procedure to alleviate anxiety-related insomnia.
Luckily, with dental sedation you are still awake so throughout your visit you will be able to communicate with the dental team. With sedation, you will be relaxed throughout your appointment while still being alert and responsive allowing you to communicate with the dental team throughout your visit.
What is IV sedation and how does it work?
IV sedation refers to several medications that can be directly administered into the bloodstream through the vein to offer the deepest level of sedation short of general anesthesia.
Are there any potential side effects that I should know about?
While sedation allows you to stay awake and responsive, you may find that you feel drowsy and choose to sleep. This will only be a light sleep and our dental team won't have any issues gently waking you once the service is complete. The effects of dental sedation vary depending on the person taking it, as they do with many medications. While side effects are uncommon and very mild, there are a few worth mentioning. Some of the side effects that you may experience following dental sedation are:
Oral Conscious Sedation
- Low blood pressure
- Mild headache
- Sluggish reflexes
- Drowsiness
- Amnesia (only for the period you are sedated)
- Dry mouth
IV Sedation
- Nausea or vomiting
- Watery eyes
Both Oral Conscious Sedation & IV Sedation
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
These symptoms should pass in the first 24 hours. The symptoms will vary between patients but any side effects will likely be mild.
What are the possible complications of dental sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is a relatively safe procedure that has few side effects. You can rest easy knowing that your vital signs will be continuously monitored throughout your visit to ensure safety.
If you are to have dental sedation, your dentists will talk to you about your overall health in order to assess the risk of complications.
If you suffer from obesity or obstructive sleep apnea then your dentist will not offer dental sedation. They will speak with you about other possible methods of helping you feel more comfortable.
While all medical procedures involve some risk, using IV sedation under the supervision of a trained professional is relatively risk-free. Oversedation is the most serious risk, which will be managed by the dental team through careful monitoring. Patients are not left alone while sedated.
If you choose to undergo dental sedation you should be sure to check the dentist's qualifications prior to receiving the service.
How will I feel once I recover from dental sedation?
Depending on the type and level of sedation administered by your dentist, you may require one to several hours to recover from the sedation. Your dental team will closely monitor you during this time to ensure that your vital signs stabilize as they return to normal.
Your dentist will inform you if you will require a ride to and from your appointment. We recommend that you take the day off, refrain from operating heavy machinery, and avoid physical activity while the sedative wears off. These side effects should only last up to 24 hours after which you will be able to return to your regular activities.