Sedation Dentist Peabody
Say “Goodbye” to Dental Anxiety
Are you nervous about visiting the dentist to the point that you put off treatment even if you know you really need it? This is all too common, but we’re able to help patients overcome their anxiety with sedation dentistry. It allows anyone to remain calm and relaxed in the dental chair and get what they need without stress. If you’re ready to have a different kind of dental experience, contact our sedation dentists at Peabody Smile Design Family Dentistry today.
Why Choose Peabody Smile Design Family Dentistry for Sedation Dentistry?
- Friendly & Compassionate Dental Team
- Same-Day Emergency Dental Appointments
- Convenient 24/7 Online Scheduling
Who Is a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
We usually recommend sedation dentistry for patients who:
- Experience fear or anxiety in relation to dental care
- Have had previous negative dental experiences
- Don’t respond to numbing or anesthetic
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Have issues sitting still for a long time
- Experience pain when opening their mouth wide
- Need to undergo multiple procedures in a single visit
- Require oral surgery
Oral Conscious Sedation
On paper, oral conscious sedation dentistry sounds too good to be true for those who don’t like visiting the dentist. We’ll prescribe you an anti-anxiety medication to take on the day of your appointment, and we’ll time it so that you feel its full effects right before you sit in the chair. You’ll remain awake but be very relaxed, and the appointment will feel like it’s over in a second. We can discuss which medication would be best for you and go over anything else we can do to make your visit comfortable before your procedure.
What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is generally recommended for adults who have anxiety or fear related to the dental office. There are no face masks or needles necessary. Instead, you are prescribed a small pill to take about an hour before your appointment. By the time your procedure begins, you will be perfectly relaxed.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
Once the effects of the pill kick in, you will feel a deep sense of relaxation. Some patients don’t even remember their visit afterward. However, you will stay awake throughout the whole treatment, so you will still be able to answer questions and follow the instructions of the dental team. The effects of oral conscious sedation can linger, so you will need to arrange for a trusted friend or family member to take you to and from your appointment.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
If you have moderate to severe dental anxiety, or you have a significant amount of treatment to complete, oral conscious sedation can make it much easier. Patients who have overactive gag reflexes find that oral sedation allows them to relax their muscles and their thoughts enough to have the work they need to stay healthy without gagging. Many patients are so relaxed that they doze off.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Sedation dentistry can be a perfectly safe option for most patients, but we will always perform a thorough review of your medical history and list of current medications to make sure you can receive oral conscious sedation safely before we recommend it. While you are feeling the effects of the treatment, the staff at Peabody Smile Design Family Dentistry will be sure to carefully monitor your vital signs such as blood pressure, oxygen levels, and heart rate to ensure your safety throughout the process.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe While Pregnant?
The medication used for oral conscious sedation can be passed to the fetus through the placenta, and this may lead to developmental problems during the first trimester or premature labor during the third. While it is usually safest to receive dental sedation during the second trimester, it may be best to simply wait until after the pregnancy before performing any dental procedure that requires it. We’ll be happy to help determine the best option for you during your consultation at our office in Peabody.
Will I Remember Anything After Dental Sedation?
While you will be technically awake and able to respond to questions and instructions during oral conscious sedation, you may have difficulty remembering the details of your procedure afterward. This amnesiac effect may be beneficial for some patients with severe dental anxiety since it can prevent them from forming stressful associations.
How Long Does Dental Sedation Last?
The effects of oral conscious sedation may last for the rest of the day, so it’s best to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery for at least 24 hours after your procedure. Accordingly, you will need to arrange for a trusted individual such as a friend or family member to drive you to and from our office for your treatment and monitor you to make sure you are safe for a few hours afterward.
Does Dental Sedation Put You to Sleep?
While sedation dentistry is sometimes called “sleep dentistry,” it does not usually put patients to sleep. While feeling the effects or oral conscious sedation, you can expect to remain awake and alert enough to respond to instructions and questions, but you may find that your recollection of the procedure is a bit fuzzy afterward. Some patients do doze off while sedated, but this is not the norm.