Can You Drive Home After The Sedation Dentistry Procedure?

Some people would rather endure oral pain than visit a dentist for treatment. If you’re scared about going to a dentist for treatment or an exam, you can benefit from sedation dentistry. It uses medication to make you relaxed and pain-free during dental procedures.

Your dentist can use sedation for everything from simple tooth cleaning and more complex and invasive procedures such as dental implants. It all depends on the type of procedure you’re going through and the severity of the fear. Contact us for sedation dentistry near you.

How Do They Sedate You At The Dentist?

Depending on the procedure you’re undergoing, you’ll receive different types of sedation. The dentist can use minimal sedation for simple procedures. However, the dentist can use moderate sedation for complex procedures, previously known as conscious sedation. You’ll be awake, but you may not remember much.

For more invasive dental procedures, deep sedation may be necessary. You’ll be on the edge of consciousness, and you may not remember anything after the process. The highest level of sedation is general anesthesia. You’ll be completely unconscious, and you won’t remember anything about the procedure.

Depending on the level of sedation you’ll receive, the dentist can use the following type of sedation:

• Nitrous oxide or laughing gas sedation

Famously known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is inhaled sedation using a mask placed over your nose. Nitrous oxide is combined with oxygen to make your body feel relaxed. The dentist will adjust the amount of sedation based on the length and severity of the patient’s anxiety.

Mostly, nitrous oxide is for short and non-invasive dental procedures. Once the process is complete, the sedation tends to wear off quite quickly, and you might even be able to drive yourself home. Nitrous oxide is the only type of sedation that you can drive yourself home after the procedure.

• Oral sedation

Oral sedation is a pill. Your dentist will ask you to take the pill approximately about an hour before the procedure. Depending on the dosage given, oral sedation can offer minimal to moderate levels of sedation. While oral sedation makes you tired, you’ll still be awake or easily wakened if you fall asleep. The sedation takes time to wear off, so you’ll require someone to drive you home after the procedure.

• IV Sedation

IV sedation is for more invasive dental procedures. The sedation is through a vein, allowing the dentist to adjust the sedation as needed.

What Can I Expect During Oral Sedation?

As far as oral sedation is concerned, your dentist will regulate the amount of dosage you’ll take depending on the complexity and length of the procedure. Mostly, oral sedation makes you relaxed and pain-free, but you’ll still be awake. They can easily awaken you with a gentle shake if you fall asleep.

After the procedure, the sedation takes time to wear off, and you should have someone to drive you home after the procedure. You might also experience minimal side effects. Your dentist will likely warn you not to drink or eat too quickly to prevent nausea and vomiting. It’s also crucial to rest adequately to allow your body to recover from the sedation well.

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

Sedation dentistry is completely safe and effective in preventing pain and anxiety during dental procedures. Before the dentist offers the sedation, they will review your needs and underlying medical conditions to determine the type of sedation that is right for you. Make sure you let the dentist know if you have had any side effects from sedation before the procedure.

For instance, individuals with conditions such as sleep apnea and obesity are likely to develop complications from sedation. To prevent sedation complications, also make sure that your dentist is trained and qualified to offer the type of sedation you’ll be receiving. Contact us for safe sedation dentistry in Sacramento.

Final Verdict

Thanks to sedation dentistry, you don’t have to avoid regular dental exams and treatments due to pain and anxiety. Your dentist will keep you relaxed and painless throughout the procedure and help you to receive the necessary treatments. For more information about sedation dentistry in Citrus Heights, contact Sacramento Natural Dentistry.