Dentistry with Oral Conscious Sedation
At the Cosmetic Dentistry Institute of Troy, we want your visit to be as comfortable and pain-free as possible. For patients who experience anxiety over dental visits or are worried about a specific procedure, sedation dentistry can make treatment far more appealing.
Through oral conscious sedation, patients can experience little or no discomfort while still conscious enough to communicate with the dentist. Oral conscious sedation is a particularly appealing option for patients who want to avoid injections while gaining the benefits of sedation. Consider the following reasons for oral conscious sedation and what it can do for you.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
Oral sedation puts the body into a temporary state of relaxation, reducing anxiety while minimizing physical pain and irritation. Although patients are not as alert as normal, they remain conscious, able to respond to commands or communicate concerns. After sedation, most patients have very little recollection of the procedure, feeling as if they have awoken from a brief sleep.
Sedatives can be administered in one of three ways: orally, intravenously, or through inhalation. By taking a pill, patients can gradually feel the effects of sedation until they are ready for treatment in one hour or less.
Why Use Oral Conscious Sedation?
For many dental procedures, local anesthesia is a suitable way to curb pain. However, some patients have a relatively high tolerance to traditional anesthetics, and some dental procedures are more invasive than others. Rather than risk someone’s emotional or physical well-being, conscious sedation can put both mind and body at ease.
Oral conscious sedation is also an excellent solution for patients who might otherwise avoid dental visits. Fear of dentistry is not uncommon, patients can overcome this fear with sedation dentistry. Even those who have neglected their dental problems for years can receive comprehensive treatment, often within a single visit, without a single injection.
Additionally, patients with special needs may normally experience difficulty at the dentist or in regard to certain treatments. With oral conscious sedation, any necessary dentistry can be performed much more easily, safely, and comfortably.
Benefits of Oral Conscious Sedation
Good candidates for oral conscious sedation will experience a number of benefits, including:
- No shots: The soothing and numbing properties of sedation can be achieved by swallowing a single pill.
- Relaxation: Conscious sedation allows patients to conquer their anxiety and relax prior to and during dental treatment.
- Physical comfort: Some sedatives can control pain on their own, while others may be combined with a painkilling agent. In any form, conscious sedation provides significant protection from physical discomfort.
- Retained consciousness: Unlike general anesthesia, patients are still consciously responsive during sedation. Although responsiveness may be delayed or lowered, patients can still communicate when prompted.
- Control over your body: When patients are rendered unconscious from anesthesia, various bodily functions may be impaired, including respiration and cardiovascular function. With sedation, no precautions or interventions need to be taken, as your body will continue to function as normal.
- Safety: Compared with general anesthesia, sedation is safer and poses less risk of complication. Oral sedatives include few, if any, side effects. Patients may feel groggy afterward and will require assistance driving home, while nausea is rarely encountered.
Never Worry about Another Dental Visit
When you visit a cosmetic dentist, you shouldn’t have to worry about your safety or comfort. Through oral conscious sedation, you can finally shed any reservations or anxiety about going to the dentist. To better understand how sedation dentistry works and whether you’re a candidate, contact our office today. We will gladly answer your questions or help you set up a consultation with Drs. Craig or Marcy Goldin.