Many patients experience anxiety around dentistry. When facing a dental procedure, having questions or hesitation about it is not unusual. One thing that concerns many patients when undergoing dental treatment and medical treatment is sedation. While dental sedation is incredibly safe and has a low rate of complications, being sedated can be daunting to some patients. Here, we discuss some facts about dental sedation and what to expect after being sedated for a dental procedure.
What Is Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation is when your dental team administers a sedative to help you relax during your dental procedure. If you’ve seen videos of patients being somewhat loopy after their wisdom teeth removal, they’ve experienced some form of dental sedation. Most dental sedation is different from surgical sedation because you are not put entirely under the process (called general anesthetic). Instead, things like nitrous oxide (laughing gas) help you relax during the procedure and reduce any discomfort you may experience.
What Are the Different Levels of Sedation?
There are different levels of sedation available at your dentist. A topical or localized anesthetic may reduce discomfort and prevent pain in many procedures. These substances include lidocaine and numbing gels and do not impair your mental functions. At worst, you can expect numbness and tingling after your procedure and should avoid hot or cold liquids as you may inadvertently damage your mouth.
Dental sedation usually involves minimal to moderate sedation levels using nitrous oxide or other approved chemicals to help you relax. More advanced dental sedation can be used in patients with high dental anxiety levels to help them relax during the procedure. Dental sedation is regulated closely and follows strict guidelines to ensure patient safety before, during, and after.
Will I Feel Weird After Dental Sedation?
In short, you should not drive after mild to moderate sedation, nor should you drive after being under generalized anesthetic. It can take some time after your procedure for the sedation to wear off, so be sure to have a ride back from the dental office and take it easy for the remainder of the day. Your dentist can give you precise instructions about dental sedation and let you know when the anesthetic will most likely leave your system.
If you have questions or concerns about dental sedation, talk to your dental team to learn more about the procedure and what you can expect following sedation. Knowing what to expect can help reduce your anxiety about the process and help you stay informed about your dental care.
Here at Coolbreeze Dentistry, we work closely with our patients to keep them as comfortable as possible during their dental visits. If you have concerns about your next visit or want to learn about our dental sedation options, contact a team member today at (972) 432-8811. Our team of courteous, professional dental healthcare providers would be happy to answer any questions or set up an appointment today.
Source(s):
https://www.deltadental.com/us/en/protect-my-smile/procedures/ada-sedation-rules.html
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9072058/