Oral Conscious Sedation

Oral sedation may be an option for patients who experiences moderate to severe anxiety during dental appointments. This procedure is used to make your dental visit more comfortable. For many people who avoid the dentist because of anxiety, this could allow them to receive the dental care that they need.

Depending on the total dose given, oral sedation can range from minimal to moderate. The oral medication is often accompanied by the use of nitrous oxide (laughing gas). The goal of this type of sedation is to maintain the patient in a relaxed and calm state.

What happens during your appointment?

The patient is still able to communicate with the dental team members, but without the normal anxiety they have experienced in the past. It is important to remember that the goal of this type of sedation is not to put the patient to sleep, but rather to remove the stress and anxiety from the experience.

The patient’s vital signs will be monitored throughout the whole procedure. There is also a detailed medical consult before the procedure to make sure that sedation is safe for the patient and to explain the whole process.

Regardless of which type of sedation you receive you will still usually require some local anesthetic to ensure the treatment does not produce discomfort.

Sedation options may also be appropriate for people who:

• Have a low pain threshold
• Can't sit still in the dentist's chair
• Have very sensitive teeth
• Have a bad gag reflex
• Need a large amount of dental work completed

Some forms of sedation may also be appropriate in certain circumstances for children. Book a consultation to see if appropriate.