At Cloverdale Crossing Dental Group, our dentists provide treatment under oral sedation for our Surrey patients who feel nervous about visiting the dentist. Here’s how the oral sedation process works.
Depending on the dosage, oral sedation can achieve a minimal to moderate sedative effect. With minimal sedation, you'll take a pill (usually Halcion, similar to Valium) an hour or so before your dental procedure. With this dosage, you'll be fully conscious but a bit drowsy.
Moderate sedation is more commonly used in dentistry. It requires a larger dose that makes you feel groggy enough to fall asleep during the procedure.
Depending on your needs and level of anxiety, a variety of single or incremental dose protocols may be used as early as a full day before the dental appointment. Your dentist will discuss your requirements and stress level with you in detail well before the procedure, and together, you'll come up with a dosage plan that works for you.
What are the benefits of oral sedatives?
Oral sedatives reduce anxiety in patients, and also allow us to perform procedures in fewer appointments and in less overall time. In short, they can increase the comfort and efficiency of dental procedures.
What is the oral sedation process like?
At your initial consultation in preparation for your upcoming procedure, your dentist will discuss your needs and concerns. Together, you'll go over your medical history and lifestyle habits (for instance, if you smoke, drink alcohol regularly, take any vitamins, and a variety of other relevant factors).
Based on the data your dentist collects during this consultation, you will be given a prescription of sedatives to be taken up to a full day before your appointment, as little as an hour before, or both.
On the day of your appointment, be sure to have a friend or family member drive you to and from our office. You should never drive while under the effects of a sedative.
Throughout the procedure, our team will monitor you carefully to make sure you continue to feel comfortable and relaxed.
After your appointment, your chaperone should drive you straight back home. Take the rest of the day off of work or school, and do not operate any heavy machinery for the next 24 hours.
During this recovery period, be sure to drink lots of fluids. Most patients feel no side effects a day after their appointment, and are able to return to their normal daily routines.
