What is Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry makes use of local anesthetic as well as sedation to ensure your dental visit is as comfortable as possible. Whether you’re visiting your dentist for restorations or an oral surgeon for an extraction, sedation dentistry can remove all your anxiety and ensure a comfortable stay in the dentist’s chair.
Your dentist will use a sedation technique in conjunction with local anesthetic. He might provide you with a prescription for a sedative to take before your appointment, or he might use nitrous oxide or intravenous sedation during your procedure. Regardless of the technique used, you will be very relaxed and calm while you’re under sedation. You might feel as if you are in a dreamlike state or as if time is moving more quickly than normal. Some patients don’t clearly remember what happened during sedation. However, sedation is not the same as general anesthetic, and you technically remain awake during the procedure.
Choosing Sedation Dentistry
If you suffer from dental anxiety, or if you will be undergoing a complex restoration or visiting an oral surgeon, be sure to ask about sedation. Your dentist will provide you with instructions regarding how to acquire your sedative or what you need to do before your appointment. For oral sedation, you’ll need to pick up a prescription and then take the prescribed medication a short time before your appointment. Nitrous oxide and intravenous sedation will be delivered during your procedure.
Regardless of what type of sedation you choose, it is generally a good idea to have someone drive you to and from your appointment. Sedation, particularly oral sedation, can leave you groggy, so it’s best if you don’t drive.
To schedule an appointment, call our team at Jackson Oral Surgery.