What can I expect during oral sedation?

 

Sedation dentistry, provided by a dentist near you, takes the sting out of dental procedures that would otherwise be discomforting or painful. Often used in conjunction with a local anesthetic to numb the area of the mouth to be operated on, oral sedation keeps a patient relaxed, calm, and in a state of semi-consciousness throughout the duration of the dental procedure.  

Patients taking oral sedation before dental procedures often have queries as to what they should be expecting from it. Is it safe? How does it help? What will it feel like to be under oral sedation? All of these questions can be answered here as we talk about oral sedation in detail.

What Is Oral Sedation?

Also known by the name laughing gas, oral sedation is an integral part of sedation dentistry in NE Calgary that is used to send a patient into relaxed consciousness before performing a medical procedure that could cause pain or discomfort. It is usually administered in the form of a gas through a face mask covering the nose and the mouth, almost always by a dentist certified in sedation dentistry. The dentist can decide the level of sedation required and ask you to inhale the gas for a specific number of minutes. The stages of consciousness vary from completely conscious to semi-consciously aware, and often patients fall asleep during the procedure.

The medical procedures that make use of oral sedation range from endoscopies to root canals. Some patients require it in mild forms for dental cleanings, to reduce apprehensions related to being in a dentist’s chair.

Oral Sedation Procedure

To understand the method of oral sedation and to douse any fears around it, let us walk you through the step-by-step procedure.

1.      Your dentist in NE Calgary will start by going through your medical history to determine if oral sedation can be safely administered to you.

2.      The sedation medication will usually be in the form of a gas that you will inhale via a face mask covering the nose and the mouth. It takes only a few minutes for the effect to kick in once you inhale the gas. The dentist will monitor your vital signs constantly while you are under sedation. The degree of relaxation can be controlled by the dentist depending on the severity of your nervousness and the nature of the procedure to follow. Sometimes a local anesthetic is used in conjunction with oral sedation to numb the area of treatment.

3.      The dental procedure will be carried out while you sit relaxed but aware of your surroundings. Your feet and hands might tingle slightly, your reflexes dull, and your blood pressure lowers.

4.      After the procedure and depending on your level of sedation, you might be back to complete consciousness in an hour or more.

What Are The Side Effects Of Oral Sedation?

Side effects of oral sedation are quite uncommon and usually mild when they do occur. It is a safe form of sedation when administered by a person trained and qualified to do it. The common side effects include:

       Drowsiness

       Nausea

       Headaches

       Low blood pressure

       Dulled reflexes

       Amnesia (for the duration of sedation)

Most of these side effects. If they do occur, fade away over a period of 24 hours. Also, the intensity of these effects varies from person to person.

Precautions Against Complications From Oral Sedation

Although it is not common to experience any severe side effects of this method of sedation, and it is generally considered safe for all, some precautions can reduce the chances of complications even further. These are:

       The dentist performing sedation dentistry near you must be qualified to do so.

       You must not have a history of sleep apnea, obesity, or certain other health conditions that rule out this method of oral sedation.

       The dentist must constantly monitor your vital signs throughout the duration of sedation.

With these precautions in place before the sedative is administered, oral sedation is safe. Do not hesitate to ask any questions related to oral sedation before the dentist uses it for you.

If you have further queries regarding oral sedation our dentists at Sunridge Landing Dental will be happy to help!

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