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Sedation Dentist Vista
Relax While You’re in the Treatment Chair
Are you nervous about your upcoming gum procedure with Dr. Farhoumand? You’re not alone. Dental anxiety is common for anyone who’s about to undergo a dental procedure, regardless of what it’s for. Thankfully, there are ways to alleviate the stressful feelings of anxiety. With options for sedation dentistry like oral conscious sedation, you can have a comfortable, stress-free experience.
Why Choose Bita Farhoumand, DDS for Sedation Dentistry?
- A Caring Expert Periodontist with Years of Experience
- Safe & Fast-Acting Oral Conscious Sedation
- Friendly, Welcoming & Attentive Dental Team
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation works using a commonly prescribed medication that is administered in the dental office. All you have to do is swallow a pill, and within minutes, you should start to feel relaxed and calm. The effects of oral conscious sedation do take a while to wear off, and because of that, you will need to have a friend or family member accompany you to your appointment. In most cases, you will feel back to normal within several hours.
What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation does not involve the use of any needles or masks. Instead, we prescribe a sedative medication for you, which you take shortly before your treatment is scheduled to begin. The medication used for this may be Valium, Ativan, Halcion, or other substances that are known to promote a relaxed state of mind.
Within 15 minutes or so of swallowing the medication, you should start to feel the effects. Thanks to this provision, you can expect to have an easy treatment experience.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
Oral conscious sedation is moderately powerful, so you will feel a strong sense of relaxation and calmness. You might drift off to sleep, but it should be easy for our team to awaken you with gentle stimuli. You can expect the results of your sedation to linger for several hours after your appointment, so you will need a trusted adult to drive you home.
Once the sedative wears off, you might not have any memory of what happened during your appointment. Many patients like this aspect of oral conscious sedation because they dislike the sights, sounds, and sensations of undergoing dental treatments.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
You might be a suitable candidate for oral conscious sedation if:
- You struggle with a degree of dental fear/anxiety.
- You had traumatic dental care experiences in the past.
- You have a very strong gag reflex.
- You need to undergo multiple, complex, or invasive services during a single appointment.
- You are not easily numbed by local anesthesia.
- You do not have any contraindications that would make sedation unsafe for you. For example, you should not be pregnant.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
At this point, maybe you’re considering sedation dentistry. It’d certainly make your periodontal treatment more comfortable! That said, you likely still have questions about the service. Having the correct details can confirm if sedation is right for you. Fortunately, Dr. Farhoumand and her team have you covered. Listed below are some oft-asked questions about dental sedatives. For other concerns, feel free to call us.
What Are the Risks of Sedation Dentistry?
To be clear, sedation dentistry is generally safe. Almost anyone can receive it without complication. However, it does present risks for some people.
In particular, dental sedatives can cause issues for those with pre-existing conditions. For example, someone taking a specific medication may react poorly to oral sedation. There’s also the possibility that a person will have a unique reaction to a sedative.
Aside from these outcomes, sedation risks are mild at best. Common side effects after a procedure include nausea, headaches, and grogginess.
Does Dental Sedation Put You to Sleep?
True enough, sedation dentistry is sometimes called “sleep dentistry.” However, it’s referred to as “conscious” sedation because most patients remain awake and aware during their treatments, just in a relaxed state. While patients may feel so relaxed that they become drowsy and fall asleep, the medication itself will not put you to sleep.
Dentists usually want you awake during treatment because they occasionally need you to follow instructions and keep your mouth open. Given that fact, a sedative that puts you to sleep would hinder their work. Dentists thus try to avoid using such substances.
Granted, dental sedation can make your mind a bit foggy. That’s a common side effect of many sedatives. So, you may feel as though you slept even if you didn’t.
Can Dental Sedation Make You Sick?
On occasion, yes – dental sedation can make you feel sick. Oral conscious sedation carries a higher chance of nausea. Therefore, the dentist will likely suggest you not eat for a few hours before your procedure. To compensate, you may want to book your visit first thing in the morning.
How Long Does Dental Sedation Last?
The effects of oral conscious sedation can persist all day. That being the case, avoid driving or operating heavy machinery for 24 hours after the procedure. You should also arrange for someone to drive you home after the appointment.
