Does dental anxiety keep you from getting the care you know you need? In that case, sedation could be a great option for you.
Sedation dentistry helps you feel calm, relaxed, and at ease during dental procedures. It’s a moderate level of sedation, so you’re still technically awake but feeling very carefree. It’s sometimes called conscious sedation dentistry or “twilight sleep” because it creates a state of short-term amnesia (forgetfulness) where you experience insensitivity to pain without the loss of consciousness.
It’s beneficial for people with dental anxiety or for those who are undergoing lengthy treatment.
Dental anxieties are quite common, and certainly no reason to be ashamed. Dental anxiety can be associated with the dental clinic setting or specific triggers like needles, drills, white coat syndrome, etc.
There are various reasons why these kinds of anxieties develop, including previous negative experiences with a dentist, extreme sensitivity or resistance to local anesthetics.
Luckily, there is something you can do to help you get the treatment you need. At Orinda Family Dentistry, we believe that even extreme dental anxiety is manageable and shouldn’t be a barrier to receiving the care our patients need. With sedation, we are able to help keep patients calm for the duration of their dental treatments so they can get the necessary work completed quickly and efficiently and without enduring the anxiety or discomforts of the past.
Additionally, we use medications that help to not only provide comfort during the procedure, but will also create a partially amnesic effect, which will make the whole experience a fuzzy memory!
Here at Orinda Family Dentistry, we offer a few options for sedation depending on what is the right fit for you:
Anyone in good health can be a candidate for sedation dentistry, but it is an especially effective solution for patients who experience the following:
Sedation dentistry is very safe. Before receiving any sedation, Dr. Sandhu will conduct a preliminary consultation. Our doctor will check your previous medical/oral history, medications you are taking, and allergies to determine your eligibility.
Some medical conditions, like hypertension, may require permission from your doctor before sedation can be administered. Dr. Sandhu also monitors your vital signs using state-of-the-art monitoring equipment throughout the treatment and while you are in the recovery room.
Sedation dentistry creates a calm, stress-free experience, making dental procedures much more comfortable. With oral conscious sedation, you’ll take medication before your appointment that helps you feel deeply relaxed and drowsy while remaining awake. Many patients feel like they are in a dream-like state and remember little to nothing about the procedure. IV sedation works quickly and provides a deeper level of relaxation, leaving you conscious but extremely at ease, often with no memory of the treatment.
For those needing the highest level of sedation, hospital-level sedation allows you to be fully asleep throughout the procedure, ensuring total comfort. This option is ideal for complex treatments or patients with severe dental anxiety. No matter which sedation method is used, you can expect a smooth, pain-free experience designed to help you feel completely at ease.
Before the appointment:
After the appointment there will be a short period where you will be allowed to recover and must be fully alert before you are released to your companion. You may feel a little drowsy when you come around, so you will need to take it easy for the rest of the day. Your companion will be responsible for driving you home.
It can take 24 hours for the medication to leave your body, so avoid alcohol and take any medication prescribed as directed. Also, avoid driving and strenuous activities for the rest of the day.
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