Your North Vancouver Invisalign® Provider
Whether you are due for a routine cleaning or oral surgery, visiting the dentist may cause you a great deal of anxiety. Today, our North Vancouver dentists share some information about dental sedation, whether it is safe and how it can help make your visit stress-free.
Dental Sedation: What Are The Benefits?
Patient's anxiety is reduced before, during, and after dental procedures when they are given an oral or inhalant anesthetic. Patients with complex medical needs or a strong gag reflex, in addition to nervous patients, may benefit from dental sedation.
Without the option of dental sedation, some patients may not visit the dentist as often as they should in order to keep their mouths healthy.
Are there different options for dental sedation?
Oral sedation is a sedative that is taken orally as a liquid or pill. These medications can be taken the night before an appointment to help you sleep and/or one hour before your appointment to help you relax before and during treatment.
An anti-anxiety drug may be administered intravenously (IV) during your dental treatment; this is known as sedation. Despite being referred to as "twilight" or "sleep" dentistry, IV sedation doesn't actually put you to sleep. Instead, the sedative allows you to relax and experience peace.
With general anesthesia, you will be asleep for the procedure.
One of the perks of dental sedation is that you will remain awake and aware throughout your appointment, but you will be at ease and relaxed during your visit.
Am I able to use dental sedation during every visit?
Most patients who receive dental sedation are safe. Before recommending the sedative, your dentist will review your medical history and decide whether dental sedation is the best option for you.
You will be closely monitored in our office for any negative side effects of the sedation. It is normal to feel drowsy after your appointment, but this will pass as the day progresses.
It is important to set up a friend or family member to help with bringing you to and from your appointment as you should never drive after receiving dental sedation.