Sedation Dentistry: How long will it take for the sedation to wear off?

The prospect of oral surgery can be daunting to some patients, even if the procedure is as routine as wisdom teeth extraction. Sedation dentistry can help patients overcome any fears they may have and access the type of dental care that they need to preserve their oral health.

You may have a number of different options for sedation, so you should work closely with your oral surgeon to determine which one is most appropriate for your case. You should also know what to expect in terms of preparing for sedation and what you will experience afterward.

Sedation Dentistry Options

Patients may receive sedation via one of the following methods:

• Nitrous oxide
• Oral sedation
• IV sedation

Different delivery methods may be appropriate for different situations. For example, a patient who is having dental implants placed or wisdom teeth extracted may choose IV sedation, while nitrous oxide can be used in less complex procedures. Your oral surgeon will advise you of your options.

Rest assured that regardless of the delivery method being used, our practice takes all necessary steps to ensure the safety and well-being of patients who have received sedation while they are under our care.

Preparing For Your Appointment

You may need to take certain steps prior to your appointment in order to prepare for sedation. For example, you may be instructed to:

• Fast for a certain number of hours if receiving IV sedation
• Fill the prescription for oral sedation and take the medication far enough in advance for it to take effect
• Identify someone who can drive you to your appointment, as it is not safe to drive after you take your oral sedation medication.

You will also need to know what to anticipate after the appointment. Depending on the type of sedation used, it may take several hours to wear off.

What To Expect After Your Appointment

Nitrous oxide wears off the quickest. However, if you have received oral sedation or IV sedation, the effects will not be fully reversed by the time you leave our office, so you will need to be sure that a responsible adult is available to drive you home after the appointment.

For your safety, that person should prepare to stay with you until the sedative’s effects have worn off completely, which may be a few more hours.

Sedation dentistry can help patients better tolerate dental surgery. If you have any questions about this aspect of your care, don’t hesitate to call our team at Jackson Oral Surgery and speak to one of our knowledgeable staff members.