07 Oct Sedation dentistry: Will I remember anything?
The prospect of oral surgery can be an intimidating one, particularly for patients who have endured bad experiences with dental procedures in the past. Fortunately, sedation dentistry can help these patients to face their fears. Even better, patients who choose sedation dentistry in Charlottesville will have no recollection of the procedure afterward. Sedation dentistry eliminates those cringe-inducing memories of painful procedures from days gone by.
A sedation dentist administers an anxiety-reducing medication, typically from a class of drugs known as benzodiazepines, to a patient prior to the procedure. This medication, which can be delivered intravenously or in pill form, allows the patient to achieve a deep state of relaxation while remaining conscious and able to respond to the dentist’s commands. Sedation dentistry can accomplish the same goals as general anesthesia, but it does so in a safer fashion because patients are not rendered unconscious.
One major benefit of sedation dentistry is that patients have virtually no recollection of the procedure being performed by the oral surgeon. Essentially, they have a temporary amnesia surrounding the time spent in the dentist’s chair.
Because sedation dentistry patients have no memory of procedures, they are able to tolerate longer sessions, allowing oral surgeons to perform complex, time-intensive surgeries.
Although problems with sedation dentistry are rare, patients are monitored while under sedation so that dental professionals are able to immediately address any issues that may arise. Additionally, you should plan to have someone drive you home following your appointment, and someone should plan to stay with you for the rest of the day as you continue to recover from the sedation.
Of course, sedation dentistry is still used in combination with local anesthesia to reduce discomfort at the surgical site. Oral surgeons also frequently recommend that their patients have painkillers handy for any discomfort or inflammation that results from the procedure.
If you are anxious about an upcoming appointment for oral surgery or if you need to undergo a complex procedure, contact the office of Dr. Carlos Ibañez at 434-295-0911 to see if sedation dentistry might be an option for you.