Sedation dentistry: Is it really possible to relax in the oral surgeon’s chair?

Sedation dentistry is a technique that allows you to be calm and relaxed during your dentist visits. It’s particularly helpful during restorations or other dental work. Sedation can also help during oral surgery, such as wisdom tooth extraction, or during periodontal work.

Sedation Dentistry and How It Works

Sedation dentistry makes use of a mild sedative to help you relax completely during your dental work or oral surgery. For example, if you’re having a wisdom teeth extraction that doesn’t require general anesthetic, sedation can help you stay calm and comfortable during the procedure. Your dentist or oral surgeon will provide sedation in one of three ways:

  • Oral sedation administered in pill form
  • Nitrous oxide administered during the procedure
  • Intravenous sedation administered during the procedure

None of these methods cause complete unconsciousness but rather create a comfortable, anxiety-free experience. You will be very relaxed but able to respond to questions and instructions. You might feel as if you’re in a dream-like state, and time often seems to go much more quickly when you’re under sedation.

Preparing for Sedation Dentistry

If your oral surgeon prefers oral sedation, he’ll give you a prescription for a pill to take a short time before your appointment. You’ll feel the effects begin before the appointment, so be sure to have someone drive you to the dentist’s office and take you home afterward. If you’re going to be treated with nitrous oxide, you’ll probably be able to drive yourself home, since it wears off quickly. Intravenous sedation also wears off fairly quickly, but in all cases, if you feel uncomfortable about driving, arrange for a ride.

If you suffer from dental anxiety and have put off having important work done because of it, talk to your dentist about how sedation dentistry can help. In many cases, sedation allows you to have many issues taken care of in a single appointment because you’ll be relaxed and comfortable. With sedation, you can catch up on long-neglected dental work and ensure the long-term health of your mouth.

If you’re uneasy about your upcoming appointment, contact us at Jackson Oral Surgery to discuss your sedation options.

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