Dr. Song has had years of experience treating patients suffering from dental anxiety, whether it takes the form of a fear of a particular procedure or a simple aversion to any kind of dental work. When you visit Bridlewood Dental of Flower Mound, we’ll discuss the treatments you need and create a treatment plan that will keep your fears under control while we improve the health of your smile. Call us today to learn how you could enjoy comfortable, relaxing dental appointments with sedation dentistry in Flower Mound, TX.
The most common type of sedation involves taking a pill at some point before the procedure itself. Once the medication takes effect, you’ll feel completely at ease with what’s going on around you. We can combine oral conscious sedation with pain medication to keep your discomfort to an absolute minimum; however, simple procedures like teeth cleaning or repairing a cavity normally don’t cause any pain to begin with, so the sedation is normally enough on its own to help you stay comfortable.
Normally, oral conscious sedation and other forms of sedation dentistry are recommended for patients who need additional help to relax during a dental procedure. This can include:
If any of the above conditions apply to you, or if you simply feel like you could benefit from the sedation, ask Dr. Song about your sedation options. Bear in mind that you may not be a candidate for oral conscious sedation if you suffer from specific health conditions or take certain medications.
In the days before the appointment, monitor your health carefully. Let us know right away if there’s a change in your health that could potentially affect the success of sedation. Also, if you develop a cold, a sore throat, or an upset stomach, notify us as soon as possible so that we can adjust our plans as necessary. On the day before your appointment, follow any instructions we give you carefully. You’ll need to avoid eating anything for a certain number of hours until the procedure itself. Also, you should choose a responsible adult to accompany you to our dental office. This is because the effects of oral conscious sedation won’t have completely worn off by the time we’re done treating your teeth. You’ll need someone else to drive you home and keep an eye on you until you’ve completely recovered. And of course, it’ll be best if you take the rest of the day off.
Every patient is different, so your personal experience with oral sedation won’t necessarily be the same as somebody else’s. That said, many people tend to feel extremely drowsy once the medication takes effect. You won’t actually fall asleep; in fact, if you do doze off, we can very easily wake you up so that you can continue to follow directions and answer questions. You may also notice that your negative emotions or feelings of anxiety gradually disappear as time goes on.
There are different levels of oral conscious sedation that can be reached by using different kinds of medication. However, the level of sedation cannot be changed in the middle of the procedure. We will, however, monitor you closely to ensure that you stay safe during the treatment. Time will seem to pass by very quickly during your procedure. In fact, many patients find that they don’t remember much of the treatment at all.
Most of the time the side effects of oral conscious sedation will be minimal, though they can still be unpleasant. Generally speaking, the most important thing to keep in mind is the effect the medicine will have on your motor functions for several hours; this is the main reason why you need to avoid driving by yourself during this time.
In some cases, you might become disoriented or nauseous, and you could have trouble keeping your balance. Irritability and excessive sleepiness can also occur. You may even develop a dry mouth or start drooling more than usual. Most of these side effects can be kept to minimum as long as an expert dentist such as Dr. Song chooses the proper dosage. If they do occur, they should usually fade after a few hours. If these issues last longer than expected or become particularly severe, call us right away so that we can take appropriate action.
We’ll monitor your vital signs throughout the procedure, and we’ll only let you leave our dental office once we think you’re ready. The most important thing is to spend the rest of the day relaxing; you should not engage in strenuous exercise or perform any task that requires good motor skills. Someone will need to stay with you to make sure you stay safe until the medicine has worn off.
The recovery from the sedation itself shouldn’t take longer than one day. However, depending on the type of procedure you underwent, you may receive additional instructions. For example, if a root canal is performed, you may need to follow a soft food diet. We’ll make sure that you completely understand what to expect after your visit so that you can prepare appropriately. Be prepared to get in touch with us if something unexpected happens. Most of the time, though, you’ll recover without incident and wake up the next day feeling refreshed.
Depending on the situation, you might opt for a form of sedation other than oral conscious sedation. Here are the options you can choose from:
Have you been avoiding your biannual dental checkups and cleanings for too long? Do you think sedation dentistry could give you the confidence to head back to the dentist’s office? Our team is here to answer any questions you might have and help you make calm, informed decisions about your dental care without letting fear or nervousness take control. We can also provide you with additional tips on staying calm before your visit. Don’t be afraid to schedule your next appointment with Dr. Song!
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