Sedation dentistry is becoming increasingly popular in the dental world, as it helps patients, even children, have a better time during their dental visits. Sedation dentistry involves minimal risks, such as drowsiness, dry mouth, headache and memory loss about the procedure. However, there is always some degree of risk with sedation, depending on the type of sedation you decide to undergo. Intravenous sedation is usually administered by a certified anesthesiologist and involves giving medications intravenously (through a needle) while you are undergoing dental treatment.
This helps reduce any unpleasant sensations associated with visiting the dentist, which can help reduce the risk of suffering dental anxiety before the next appointments. The risk of complications with intravenous sedation is very low. Oral conscious sedation involves taking a sedative medication (usually in pill form) about an hour before the procedure begins. This type of sedation temporarily affects memory and motor skills, so you'll need a friend or family member to drive you home after the procedure.
Before undergoing any type of sedation dentistry, it's important to understand more about it and the risks involved. Our dentist will discuss with you if there are potential risks and what type of sedation will work in your particular case. People who choose conscious oral sedation or intravenous sedation usually need about 24 hours to fully recover. The sedatives given may cause partial or total memory loss during the hours surrounding the procedure.
