Everything You Need to Know About Conscious Sedation in Dentistry

Despite advanced tools and great efforts of the dental specialists to reduce the pain that a patient is experiencing in the dentist’s armchair, many people still are avoiding making an appointment. They are anxious and can’t cope with their own fears. Still, it is essential to see a doctor at least twice a year. So what is a solution? A conscious sedation is what can help you go through any dental procedure without going through a nightmare.

What is Conscious Sedation?

Conscious sedation is something intermediate between local and general anesthetics and is used to help patients relax during the dental procedure. A person doesn’t feel any pain while being conscious enough to respond to the doctor’s questions and requests. Conscious sedation can be applied during simple cosmetic operations as well as more serious procedures such as placing dental implants.  It has plenty of benefits:

1. Patient’s consciousness
2. Quick recovery
3. Suitable for all dental procedures
4. Perfectly fits patients of any age

The major advantage of conscious sedation is a full relaxation of the patient that results in successful dental treatment as a nervous mood may prevent the specialist from doing his or her work well.

What Does Conscious Sedation Feel Like?

The effects of conscious sedation vary from person to a person. Among the most common feelings are relaxation and drowsiness. When the sedative starts to work, negative emotions like anxiety or stress are disappearing. Usually, a person experiences a tingling feeling throughout the body with the main impact on hands, arms, feet, and legs. 

Your motions will slow down and you may feel sleepy a little bit, but you still will understand what is going on. After the procedure, your mouth will probably feel numb at least for half of an hour, so be careful not to bite your cheek or tongue by mistake. It may take you some time to feel absolutely normally again, so it will be great if you have somebody to help you with children or household chores. Until the next day, it is better to refuse from:

•         Drinking alcohol
•         Exercising 
•         Driving or cycling
•         Taking sleeping pills
•         Smoking
•         Returning to workplace
•         Making important decisions
•         Using sharp utensils, home appliances, and any other machinery

How Does Everything Happen?

Both you and a doctor make a decision for having conscious sedation after a dental check-up. On the day of your appointment, a specialist makes an injection and then places a small mask right over the mouth and nose. The doctor uses one of the allowed drugs approved by the dental association for conscious sedation. The patient breathes a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen and, as a result, feels deep relaxation. Afterward, the doctor starts a planned procedure.

Is it Safe?

Conscious sedation as any other form of sedation comes along with definite risks. Some people may suffer from side effects such as headache, feeling sick, low blood pressure, drowsiness, and slow reflexes.

It doesn’t mean that you are going to suffer from any of these side effects. Still, it is just a reminder that you need to choose a good dentist and discuss conscious sedation with him/her beforehand. In this case, a doctor will study your previous medical history, find out what medications you may take, and whether you have a negative former experience. Conscious sedation may not be a good idea for pregnant women, people with pulmonary disease, or those who take certain drugs. At the same time, if you are afraid of visiting dentists and have good well-being, then continuous sedation will become your real lifeline in the fight with your own fears.

Where to Get Professional Dental Assistance?

In case you live in New Mexico and are seeking a good family dentist in Albuquerque, you can consider a well-known Gallegos Family Dentistry. Specialists have much experience in providing top-quality dental procedures including cosmetic operations and more serious issues.

The main goal of our professional team is to make every patient feel comfortable and relaxed in the dentist’s armchair. Specialists are certified conscious sedation dentists who know what medications to prescribe and how to achieve a necessary result. You can reach the clinic and ask any questions about conscious sedation dentistry to make a final decision. With true professionals, you won’t experience any pain or discomfort, and turn your visits to a dentist’s office a pleasure at last.