Dental sedation can enable a wider range of patients to receive the dental care they need, and achieve their oral health and cosmetic goals. Dr. Doroshenko is certified in the administration of oral conscious sedation. Our dentists in Baltimore, MD can provide anxious and fearful patients a solution that makes their dental visit more pleasant and relaxing.
What is oral conscious sedation?
Typically administered in pill form, oral conscious sedation will suppress a part of the nervous system associated with anxiety and pain. While sedated, patients are able to feel relaxed and pain-free while still responsive and in control of their bodies. Conscious sedation is often referred to as “twilight” sedation.
In most cases, there is little to no memory of your dental procedure afterward. This type of sedation is safe for most patients, but Dr. Doroshenko will discuss your medical history and physical health before recommending dental sedation as part of your overall treatment.
How does “sleep dentistry” work?
Once we determine that sedation with an oral sedative is safe for you, Dr. Doroshenko will provide a prescription for an at-home dose. You will take it prior to your visit. Oral sedatives require an hour or more to take effect. We will give you any additional instructions so that you can arrive with your partner in a relaxed state. If needed, we may give you a second dose when you arrive.
Before your procedure we will ensure that you are comfortable and pain free, relaxing in the dentist’s chair. When your treatment is complete, we will escort you to the waiting room, and you will leave with your designated driver. It will take several hours for the sedative to completely wear off, so plan on spending the rest of the day relaxing at home or in the care of a relative or friend.
We offer the option of dental sedation for a range of reasons:
- Dental anxiety and fear: for anyone who experiences anxiety, high levels of stress or fear when visiting the dentist, sedation can make it possible to receive your care feeling stress-free.
- Complex dental procedures: if your treatment is invasive or complex, we may offer sedation to keep you comfortable for an extended period of time. This will make it easier for our team to care for you in an efficient manner.
- Restoring dental health: for patients needing dental implants or who have been away from the dentist and require a series of treatments to restore their smile, dental sedation can enable your dentist to perform several procedures in a single visit.
What To Do Before Dental Sedation
This section will cover what you should do to prepare for sedation at the dentist. There are many things that you can do to make your visit more comfortable and help you get through the procedure without feeling any pain and anxiety.
- You should always be honest with your dentist about what medications or drugs you are taking. This is important because some drugs can interact with sedatives and make them less effective.
- Do not eat or drink for 6 hours before being sedated at the dentist. Avoid any foods that might cause gas or bloating before the appointment, as this can also make it difficult for the sedative to work properly.
- We recommend drinking lots of water before undergoing dental sedation. Hydration is very important before any procedure. Patients can have water up until 2 hours before their appointment.
- Be sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before your procedure. We also recommend wearing comfortable clothing to your appointment.
We will go over more specific instructions during your initial consultation. Every patient is unique at our dental practice, so we will tailor instructions to your specific case.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
How long does dental sedation take to wear off?
Dental sedation takes 3-6 hours to wear off. Patients may feel some slight effects of the sedation for up to 24 hours after the procedure.
Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?
Patients should feel no pain during the procedure. Sedation keeps patients relaxed and free from pain to ensure a comfortable experience.
Can you still feel pain with laughing gas?
Laughing gas, or nitrous oxide dulls the nervous system. It helps remove anxiety and allows patients to feel calm before their procedure.
What can I expect during oral sedation?
Depending on the dose patients may feel more or less sedated. Some patients may knock out and not remember anything, while some may slightly doze off in the chair. Patients should expect to not remember much, and be unable to communicate through the procedure.
Can you drive after dental sedation?
Patients should plan to have a friend or family member drive them home after their appointment. Do not drive yourself to your dental appointment if you plan on receiving dental sedation. Driving while still recovering from sedation is very dangerous and can have unintended consequences.
Will I remember conscious sedation?
The amount that people remember after sedation varies per individual. Some patients may be able to respond to verbal cues throughout their procedure, while others fall asleep and remember nothing.
Schedule a Worry-free Sedation Dentistry Consultation for Your Piece of Mind
We are your comprehensive and patient-focused dentists in Baltimore, MD. Give Dr. Doroshenko a call at (410) 697-6290. Let us know that you are interested in discussing your dental sedation options at Cosmetic & Advanced Dentistry.