Let Us Help You Overcome Your Dental Fears with Oral Sedation Dentistry
Do you avoid dental appointments because of dental anxiety? You don’t need to fear any longer! Divine Dental Center offers oral sedation dentistry in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to maximize your comfort so you can get the treatment you need without much hassle. Oral sedation is an excellent option if you need extensive dental work or haven’t seen a dentist in a while.
What is oral sedation dentistry?
This sedation involves taking an anti-anxiety pill an hour before your treatment. The sedation medications are a type of benzodiazepine (like Valium or Xanax) used to treat patients with anxiety and panic disorders. Your dentist will advise you to refrain from eating or drinking for at least six hours before taking your pill. Eating shortly before your medication reduces its effectiveness and can cause nausea.
Pill-based sedation is called “oral conscious sedation” because it isn’t meant to knock you out. Instead, you’ll be relaxed but awake to respond to questions from our dental team. Patients generally report being relaxed, drowsy, and simply “out of it.” You’ll have trouble remembering details about your treatment. This is a good thing because you won’t recall the sights, smells, or sounds that typically trigger anxiety. Additionally, oral sedation causes you to lose track of time, making lengthy treatments feel as though they only took minutes, even if they lasted hours.
Once treatment is over, you won’t drive yourself home. Anti-anxiety medications alter your judgment and coordination, so you’ll need someone to escort you to and from our office. Also, avoid operating machinery, alcohol, and driving for at least 24 hours after your treatment until the medication wears off.
What are the advantages of oral conscious sedation?
Here are the benefits of oral sedation.
- Easy to administer: There are no masks or needles involved. The doctor prescribes a simple pill taken orally before your treatment. The pill decreases the activity of the part of the brain that controls fear. That’s why you remain calm and relaxed throughout your treatment.
- Short-term amnesia: Retrograde amnesia is also something that many patients love. With pill-based sedation, you won’t remember the moment-to-moment details of your treatment while sedated.
- Responsive: Although oral sedation makes you feel drowsy, you’ll be awake to respond to cues from our dentist. Sometimes, you may nap, but a slight budge is enough to rouse you.
Is oral sedation safe?
We only use anti-anxiety medications approved by the FDA, so don’t expect severe side effects. Still, we observe safety protocols to reduce potential complications. We don’t recommend oral sedation to nursing or pregnant women. Similarly, patients with heart, liver, and kidney disease should consult with their doctor before undergoing oral sedation. Since oral sedatives can react with certain medicines, let us know if you are taking any medications.
Ready for relaxing dentistry?
Interested in oral sedation? Call (615) 200-1195 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Osayomore Eguakun. Oral sedation is an excellent solution for patients with dental anxiety or undergoing extensive treatments.
