Sedation Dentistry Baltimore, MD

Dental sedation can help patients to receive the dental care they need and achieve their oral health and cosmetic goals. Dr. Andrey Doroshenko is certified to administer oral conscious sedation.

Dr. Doroshenko utilizes dental sedation for patients who receive his cosmetic, restorative, and general dentistry treatments.

He provides sedation dentistry services in Baltimore, MD. Our dentists can provide anxious and fearful patients with a solution. Sedation can help make dental visits more pleasant and relaxing.

Types of Sedation Dentistry Infographic

What is oral conscious sedation?

Oral conscious sedation is a type of dental sedation administered in pill form before treatment. This sedation will suppress a part of the nervous system associated with anxiety and pain.

While sedated, patients can 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, you will have little to no memory of your dental procedure after treatment. This type of sedation is safe for most patients. 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?

First, we will determine if an oral sedative is safe for you. We will not recommend sleep dentistry for patients with liver problems, metabolic disorders, or kidney problems. Patients with these problems may respond differently to their medication.

If you are a candidate for oral conscious sedation, Dr. Doroshenko will prescribe an at-home dose you will take before your visit. Oral sedatives require an hour or more to take effect so that you will need transportation to our office.

We will give you any additional instructions so that you can arrive relaxed. If needed, we may give you a second dose when you arrive.

Before your procedure, we will ensure 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 wear off completely. Plan on spending the rest of the day relaxing at home or in a relative’s or friend’s care.

We offer the option of dental sedation for a range of reasons:

  • Dental anxiety and fear: Sedation will help you feel comfortable if you experience anxiety, high levels of stress, or fear when visiting the dentist. Dental sedation can make it possible to receive dental care feeling stress-free.
  • Complex dental procedures: We may offer sedation to keep you comfortable for an extended period if you have invasive or complex treatment. This will make it easier for our team to care for you efficiently.
  • Restoring dental health: Sedation is an excellent option for patients who have not visited the dentist in a long time. We can provide care for complex dental probelms using dental sedation. Sedation can enable our dentist to perform several procedures in a single visit.

Sedation dentistry in our Baltimore, MD office is safe; we will monitor you throughout treatment.

What To Do Before Sedation Dentistry Treatment in Baltimore, MD

This section will cover what you should do to prepare for sedation at the dentist. You can follow these tips to make your visit more comfortable and help you get through the procedure without feeling any pain and anxiety:

  1. You should always be honest with your dentist about what medications you take. Some drugs can interact with sedatives and make them less effective. Medical conditions can make it harder to metabolize oral sedatives. Tell our office if you have medical conditions that can interact with sedation.
  2. 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. These foods can impact the effectiveness of the dental sedative.
  3. We recommend drinking lots of water before undergoing dental sedation. Hydration is vital before any procedure. Patients can have water up until 2 hours before their appointment.
  4. Be sure to get a good night’s sleep the night before your procedure. We also recommend wearing loose clothing to your appointment to help you feel comfortable.

We will go over more specific instructions during your initial consultation. Everyone at our dental practice is unique. We will customize instructions for your case to make sedation work for you.

Sedation Dentistry FAQs

Do you want to know more about sedation dentistry? Below, we will answer your questions about dental sedation:

How long does it take for dental sedation 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 not to 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 appointment if you want dental sedation. Driving while still recovering from sedation is 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

Our office will help you make your next dental appointment for peace of mind. We are your comprehensive and patient-focused dentists in Baltimore, MD. Give Dr. Doroshenko a call today at (410) 697-6290. Let us know if you want to discuss your dental sedation options at Cosmetic & Advanced Dentistry.