Oral sedation dentistry is not a new practice but it is becoming more common.  It is especially beneficial to patients who have mild or severe dental anxiety, people who have issues being numbed with a local anesthesia, patients with a severe gag reflex, patients who have very sensitive teeth and for those who want to have a lot of dental work done during one single appointment.  Because it is becoming so common many people have questions about the process of oral conscious sedation. 

You will be prescribed a pill to take one hour prior to your scheduled dental visit.  It is imperative that you have someone drive you to, and from your dental appointment.  When you arrive at the dental office, you will be awake and feeling very drowsy and relaxed.  Upon your arrival for your dental appointment, you will be immediately escorted to the dental treatment area and seated in the dental chair. You will be placed on a monitor to carefully watch your vital signs during the entire appointment. 

There is no analgesic or pain relieving qualities provided by oral sedatives. Local anesthetics will be used to prevent pain. Because you are so relaxed, and because of the use of painless injection techniques,  you will probably not remember when you teeth were actually being “numbed”. When your treatment is completed, your friend or relative will drive you home, where you can climb into bed for a soothing, relaxing nap.  When you are fully awake, you will feel comfortable, relaxed and free from stress. You will probably remember very little about your wonderful, relaxing, dental experience.