15 Jul Will I need recovery time if I use sedation for my procedure?
Sedation dentistry is a popular option for patients who are in need of some type of surgical procedure. These relaxing medications help patients overcome any anxiety that they have about the surgery.
Additionally, sedation helps many patients with long periods of oral surgery, giving the surgeon the opportunity to complete complex interventions in fewer appointments, and sometimes in a single session.
Anti-anxiety drugs known as benzodiazepines are typically used in sedation dentistry. These medications help the patient feel deeply relaxed, but they remain conscious and the airway is not compromised. Patients have no recollection of the procedure after sedation is used, either.
The medications can be administered orally or intravenously. Patients may also be able to choose gaseous nitrous oxide. Your oral surgeon can discuss the various sedation options with you.
Regardless of how the sedative is administered, you will need to plan for a brief recovery period as the medication’s effects wear off. Plan on at least a few hours, unless you choose nitrous oxide, which wears off more quickly. Although you do remain conscious while under sedation, you’ll also be groggy as you come out of it, so your driving ability will be impaired. Be sure to ask someone to drive you home after the procedure.
If you choose an oral sedative, you will need to take the pill 30-60 minutes in advance of the scheduled appointment time so that the drug is able to take its full effect. Accordingly, you will also need to make arrangements for someone to bring you to the office for your procedure.
Before the procedure, you should also have a conversation with your oral surgeon about any other concerns related to your sedation. For example, patients who choose intravenous sedation may need to fast for 12 hours prior to the procedure. Other prescription medications that you take may be contraindicated by the sedatives, so check with your oral surgeon on that, as well. This will help you to be as fully prepared as possible for the procedure and sedation.
Sedation can help make oral surgery a more comfortable prospect. Talk to our oral surgeon at Charlottesville Oral Surgery & Dental Implant Center about your options for sedation. Call 434-295-0911 to schedule an appointment today.