What is oral sedation?
Oral sedation is a sedative in pill form, prescribed for a particular appointment and taken beforehand, at the time your instructions give. It makes you drowsy and calm. You are still awake and can respond when we speak to you, though some people remember little of the appointment afterward.
It is one of two kinds of sedation offered here. The other is nitrous oxide, breathed through a small nose mask, which wears off quickly once the mask is off. Oral sedation leaves you drowsier, and for longer, which is why it takes more planning. With either one, you are not unconscious at any point.
What does oral sedation feel like?
Expect to feel drowsy, calm and a good deal less bothered by what is going on. You can still hear us, answer questions and follow simple requests, such as turning your head or opening a little wider.
It does not replace numbing. When a treatment needs it, the tooth is still numbed with local anesthetic as usual. The sedation takes the edge off everything around it.
Why you need someone to drive you home
This is the part to sort out first. The pill makes you drowsy, and the drowsiness does not end when you leave the chair, so you cannot drive yourself home. Do not drive at all once you have taken it. If your instructions have you take it before you leave the house, your driver will need to bring you as well.
Line up someone who can stay or come back for you when the appointment is over, and do it when you book rather than the night before. If you cannot find anyone, tell us, and we will talk through what else might help.
Planning the day of your appointment
Oral sedation is prescribed for a particular appointment, so it has to be arranged ahead of time rather than decided on the day. A little planning makes the day easier:
- Follow the instructions you are given exactly, including when to take the pill and anything they say about eating or drinking beforehand. Ask if anything in them is unclear.
- Keep the rest of the day free. Do not drive, drink alcohol or make important decisions until the drowsiness has worn off.
- If you look after young children or anyone else, arrange for someone to cover for you for the rest of the day.
Health questions to go over first
Before any sedation, we go through your medical history and every medication you take, including anything bought over the counter, because some combine badly with sedatives. Tell us about:
- Breathing problems, including sleep apnea, because sedatives can affect breathing.
- Pregnancy, or the chance of it. Sedation may not be the right choice then, and we will talk through what else can help.
- Any bad reaction you have had to a sedative, a sleeping pill or an anesthetic.
- Trouble getting numb at past appointments, so we can allow for it.
- Anything about your health that has changed since your last visit.
Is oral sedation right for you?
Not everyone needs sedation, and not every treatment calls for it. A small filling may go more easily with numbing and a few breaks than with a pill and a ride home. Oral sedation is worth talking about if:
- Anxiety has kept you away from the dentist, or turns every visit into an ordeal.
- You have a long appointment ahead, such as a root canal or several fillings at once.
- Nitrous oxide has not been enough for you before.
- A strong gag reflex makes treatment hard going.
Where to start
Say so when you call. Tell whoever answers that you would like to talk about oral sedation, and we will go through the options before anything is arranged, including whether you need sedation at all.
If what worries you is the dentist in general, our page on dental anxiety covers the help that needs no medication, and sedation dentistry explains both options. The office is at 300 Tazewell Street in Pearisburg, with parking at the door, which makes the drop-off and pick-up simple.
Questions patients ask
Will I be awake during oral sedation?
Yes. You will be drowsy and calm, but you can still respond when we speak to you. Some people remember little of the appointment afterward.
Why can't I drive myself home after oral sedation?
Because the drowsiness carries on after the appointment, and it can slow your reactions even when you feel fine. Line up someone to drive you when you book, and do not drive at all once you have taken the pill.
Can I decide on oral sedation on the day?
No. It is prescribed for a particular appointment, so it has to be arranged ahead of time. If you find yourself nervous on the day without it, tell us: nitrous oxide is available on request, and we can take things slowly.
Will I still need a numbing injection?
When a treatment needs it, yes. The tooth is still numbed with local anesthetic as usual. The sedation makes you drowsy and calm, and the local anesthetic is what keeps the tooth numb.
Can I have oral sedation if I take other medicines?
Possibly, but tell us about every one, including anything bought over the counter, because some combine badly with sedatives. We go through your medical history and medications before any sedation, and that review decides whether it is right for you.