How to Prepare for Sedation Dentistry?
If you are interested in sedation dentistry, talk it over with our dentist during your initial consultation. We must review your oral and medical history and will need to know about any medications or supplements you are currently taking. We must know about any medical conditions in case these could affect your suitability for sedation dentistry.
Once we have this information, we can recommend a suitable level of sedation based on your needs. We want to ensure you remain relaxed and comfortable during your appointment, but your safety is our primary concern.
We will also discuss how to prepare for your appointment. Usually, we will need you to stop eating or drinking anything several hours beforehand; otherwise, any preparations should be minimal.
Do I Need to Stop Taking Medications Before Sedation Dentistry?
Unless discussed otherwise, you should continue to take all medications as prescribed. However, if you take blood thinners, make sure we know, as we may need to adjust your treatment plan or ask you to stop taking these medications for a day or two before your treatment, depending on the advice given by your primary healthcare provider.
What to Expect during Sedation Dentistry?
You can receive your dental sedative before the procedure begins so that you will already feel comfortable when we can numb your teeth and gums. We monitor you carefully throughout the procedure, continually checking that you are okay. Once treatment is complete, we may want you to remain with us a short while afterward to ensure you are fully recovered before we send you home to rest.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Sedation dentistry should be safe, but any anesthetic always carries a small risk. We take every precaution to minimize these risks, which can include:
Bruising from an intravenous line.
Headaches.
Dry mouth.
Feeling nauseous or vomiting.
It is rare, but some people can have an allergic reaction to the medications used in sedation dentistry. When this is the case, there are drugs that can be used to counteract the effects.
Can I Have Sedation Dentistry during Pregnancy?
If you are pregnant, we will not recommend sedation dentistry as there is a risk that some sedatives could affect the development of the baby. Nitrous oxide can be given during the second trimester. However, unless treatment is urgent and likely to affect your health or your baby’s health, we would prefer to wait until your baby is born.
How Long Does It Take to Recover after Sedation Dentistry?
Recovery times depend on the sedative used. If you have laughing gas, you should recover completely within half an hour and can drive yourself home. You can return to normal activities after you leave our dental office.
If you have oral sedation or IV sedation, you need to allow a full 24 hours for recovery, and you cannot drive, operate machinery, or make any important or legal decisions. You should wait at least one complete day before returning to work, although some people may need longer. During your consultation, we can advise how long you might need to recover after sedation dentistry.
How Much Will Sedation Dentistry Cost?
The cost depends on your chosen form of sedation. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation are very affordable, but intravenous sedation costs more since it is a more complex treatment. We can provide an estimate of the cost during your initial consultation. Dental insurance may not cover the cost of sedation dentistry since, despite its benefits, it is not considered essential.
Sedation dentistry can be useful for anyone who feels anxious or nervous about receiving dental care or who may have avoided seeing a dentist for years. It can help restore good oral health more quickly. Receiving dental care more comfortably can be an important step in conquering dental fears and phobias.
If you have avoided seeing a dentist due to dental anxieties, please contact us for kind, compassionate, and nonjudgemental dental care. We’ll take the time to listen to your concerns and tailor your treatments so you can receive them in a way that is more comfortable and easier to tolerate