What is dental sedation?
Dental sedation uses medication, usually taken orally or inhaled, to help patients relax during dental appointments. There are normally three different types of sedation: oral nitrous oxide, and IV. At North Burnaby Dental Group, we offer oral and IV sedation.
Sedation may be beneficial for patients who are extremely nervous about dental procedures, require complex treatment, or have a severe gag reflex. Your dentist will review your medical history before recommending sedation to ensure that you are in good enough health to be sedated.
What is IV sedation?
Intravenous (IV) sedation is the administration of an anti-anxiety medication through the bloodstream during your dental treatment.
Although IV sedation dentistry is also known as "twilight" or "sleep" dentistry, it does not actually put you to sleep. Rather, the sedative allows you to unwind and feel at ease.
What is oral sedation?
Oral sedatives are available in the form of liquids or pills. These medications can be taken the night before an appointment to help you sleep or one hour before your appointment to help you relax before and during treatment.
How does it feel to be under sedation?
Dental sedation is a technique for reducing anxiety and pain during dental procedures. Regardless of how sleepy you feel, you will be conscious and able to communicate with your dentist and respond to instructions throughout your treatment. If you do happen to fall asleep, a gentle shake should wake you up.
With conscious oral sedation, typically, patients have little recollection of the procedure. After being sedated with oral sedation, many patients report having a conscious dream. Oral sedation usually allows for a faster recovery than general anesthesia.
Our team will monitor you during your treatment to ensure your safety at all times.
Can I drive myself home after having dental sedation?
You should have a trusted friend or family member drive you to and from your sedation appointment. Although the effects of sedation are temporary, you may be too drowsy to drive. Because oral sedation can take several hours to leave your system, follow your dentist's recommendations for when you can resume driving.
Don't let dental phobias or anxiety prevent you from receiving the necessary care. By determining whether you are a candidate for dental sedation, our dentists can help you decide whether to use IV or oral sedation for your procedure. Remember that oral sedation should work similarly to nitrous oxide.