At On Track Dental, we’re pleased to offer two types of Sedation for your appointment, if needed – Mild Oral Sedation and Moderate Sedation.

 

What is Mild Oral Sedation Dentistry?

Mild Oral Sedation is suitable for patients with mild anxiety.  Medication is in pill form, administered under the tongue and typically takes 30 to 60 minutes to take effect.  This induces a mild level of sedation where patients are relaxed but awake and able to respond to commands.  At the completion of treatment, patients need to stay in the office for a period after the procedure until they are more alert.

 

What Is Moderate Sedation Dentistry?

Moderate sedation dentistry works as a form of conscious sedation to help you feel relaxed during your appointment. This method does not put you fully to sleep, but it does make you less aware of your surroundings — including anything the dentist may or may not be doing to your mouth. That means you can still respond to verbal commands or gentle nudging.  Moderate sedation is generally administered intravenously, which means through your vein, or through an alternative method for those who may have a fear of needles.

Moderate sedation provides several benefits:

  • It starts working quickly (within minutes)
  • The dentist can monitor your vitals and easily adjust the dosage
  • It creates a long period of amnesia, so you won’t remember the procedure at all when you wake up
  • It allows you to cooperate for a more extended period, so your dentist can perform more complex or multiple procedures with only one appointment

As with Mild Oral Sedation, patients need to stay in the office for a period after the procedure until they are more alert.  Moderate Sedation is ideal for patients with moderate to severe anxiety, those undergoing longer or more complex procedures, or those who require a deeper level of sedation.

 

How to Prepare for Sedation

Because you will forfeit some of your mental faculties, you will need to prepare more for when having sedation than you do for a typical dental appointment:

 

Before

We will provide explicit instructions before your appointment. These involve recommendations to wear comfortable clothing, avoid eating or drinking 6-8 hours before sedation and stop taking certain medications (unless previously approved). You will need to undergo a short physical exam, provide a complete medical history and alert us to any changes beforehand. Also, you’ll need a driver to take you to the appointment, pick you up afterwards and stay with you for several hours

 

During

Once you’re settled into dental chair, our team will get you set up and comfortable.  The dentist will monitor your pulse, breathing, and blood pressure throughout the procedure to watch for any adverse reactions. You should feel relaxed and less aware of any sights, smells, or sounds

 

After

After the procedure, you might feel slightly drowsy for several hours. Your driver will collect any post-procedure instructions from the dentist and take you home. You will need to clear your calendar for the next 24 hours and avoid strenuous activity, unapproved medications, alcohol, operating heavy machinery, or making major life decisions. Complications with sedation are rare but contact the dentist immediately if you suspect any problems.

 

Are You a Good Candidate for Sedation?

Before your dentist schedules you for sedation, you will undergo a health evaluation, including a review of your medical history and medication use. Patients who are older or have significant medical considerations might first require a consultation with their primary care physician or medical specialist. Typically, good candidates for sedation include:

 

  • Those with moderate to high dental anxiety
  • Those with a strong gag reflex
  • Those who need longer or multiple procedures
  • For complex surgical procedures, the Dentist may recommend sedation

 

Our experienced team have undertaken extra rigorous training to be able to offer sedation so you can be assured you’re in good hands. If dental anxiety prevents you from receiving the treatment you need, sedation could be a good option for relaxing and comfortable oral care.