Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry: Fighting Patient Anxiety
The entire team at The Smile Center in Virginia Beach wants to accommodate the needs of all patients. That means looking into dental implants to support bridges and dentures with the stability of natural tooth roots as well as various means for reducing stress and anxiety while a patient is in the practice. When it comes to the latter, there's always sedation dentistry, which allows patients to experience reduced anxiety and discomfort while undergoing dental treatment.
There are different sedation options to consider, through one effective and popular option is oral conscious sedation. Let's take a moment to consider oral conscious sedation right now.
About Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation refers to the use of pills or liquid medication in order for patients to achieve a relaxed state. This is a prescription-strength sedative that allows for the safest and most effective anxiety-free treatment possible.
Ideal Candidates for Oral Conscious Sedation
The best candidates for oral conscious sedation are people who:
- Suffer from dental phobia or dental anxiety
- Have a poor gag reflex
- Experience pain from keeping their mouth open for a long time
- Require extensive or involved dental procedures
- Have difficulty remaining still for prolonged periods of time
- Suffer from Parkinson's or cerebral palsy
Advantages of Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is very safe and involves no needles, meaning that there are no potential sources of anxiety leading into the dental treatment itself. Patients achieve a relaxed state before even arriving at the practice, which means no stress throughout the treatment process.
The Oral Conscious Sedation Process
Roughly an hour before the dental visit, patients will take their sedative medication as directed. A loved one will then drive them to the practice for their appointment. That's all there is to it.
Have a Loved One Present: Ensuring Safety After Oral Conscious Sedation
Obviously while under the effects of a sedative, a patient will not be able to safely operate a vehicle or get around on his or her own. This is why it's important that a loved one be present to get the patient to and from the practice. This is a common practice for various forms of sedation dentistry, actually, and is a common sense safety precaution to take.
Alternatives to Oral Conscious Sedation
While oral conscious sedation is effective and popular, it may not be ideal for you. In such cases, there is also IV sedation, in which a sedative drug is delivered intravenously while at the practice. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) may also be considered, which is an inhalant that helps patients achieve a relaxed state. All dental sedation methods can be discussed in more detail when you get in touch with us at The Smile Center.
Schedule a Dental Visit at Our Practice
Sedation dentistry may be ideal for you. To learn more about all of your options, we encourage you to contact our cosmetic and restorative dentistry practice today. We at The Smile Center look forward to your visit and helping you make the best choices when it comes to your dental health and wellness.
