Dental sedation is used to alleviate patient anxiety, and various options are available to suit different phobia levels. You can choose to remain awake but deeply relaxed when given a pill like Valium — which doesn’t fully knock you out but leaves you in a sleepy state. For those with a severe phobia, IV sedation is best; it allows you to sleep fully throughout the procedure. Find out what to expect from sedation in general, here.

How to Prepare Beforehand

Talk to your dentist about what type of sedation they will use and how you need to prepare. With IV, for instance, you may be told not to eat after midnight on the day before your appointment. Get any prescribed post-procedure medications — like painkillers or antibiotics — prior to your procedure.

Arrange for a friend or family member to accompany you to your appointment. You will be drowsy after dental sedation and should not drive. At home, prepare a comfortable recovery space with everything you might need — like water, medications, and books, music, or movies.

What to Expect During & After

For your health and safety, your blood pressure, pulse, and blood oxygen levels will be monitored throughout the operation. You will be hooked up to electronic sensors to measure these vital signs.

Depending on the procedure, you may receive a local anesthetic to block pain receptors in the treated area. Once your sedation and the anesthetic have kicked in, your dentist will start. You will be relaxed or asleep at this point.

Afterward, you will gradually become alert — although you may feel groggy. A friend or loved one should be there to take you home. Your dentist will share any after-care instructions with them as well as you because you may be too sleepy to remember the details.

With many types of dental sedation available, there’s no need to let anxiety keep you from the oral health care you need. Smile Surgery Center of Anchorage, AK, makes patient comfort a priority and will be happy to find the fitting sedation solution for you. Whether you need wisdom tooth removal or dental implants, we will ensure you are at ease. Get to know our friendly team online or call us at (907) 644-4772 to schedule your in-person appointment. Make sure to ask about our complimentary consultation!