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Your Sedation Questions Answered

At Giri Palani DDS, FICOI, we provide dental sedation, which can help to ease your anxiety and make more involved (or lengthy) treatments more bearable. We offer several types of sedation, and your specific needs will dictate the best type for you. Sedation allows you to remain calm and comfortable while we provide your necessary treatments. Many patients have questions about sedation. We are here to provide you with answers.

What Types of Sedation Do You Offer?

We offer four different types of sedation:
•  Nitrous oxide. Nitrous, commonly known as laughing gas, is a type of inhaled sedation. It is a type of minimal sedation. A mask is placed over your nose, and you breathe in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, which places you in a relaxed state.
•  Anxiolysis. This is a form of light sedation that is taken by mouth, which helps you to relax without a mask on your face.
•  Oral conscious sedation. Oral conscious sedation is a type of moderate sedation that involves the use of a medication that is taken approximately an hour before your procedure. It takes about 30 minutes for the medication to take effect, although the exact time depends on many factors. When it takes effect, it makes you feel drowsy and relaxed.
•  IV sedation. IV sedation is another type of moderate sedation. Instead of a pill, the sedative is administered directly into your bloodstream through a needle. The medication goes to work within seconds, making you feel drowsy and relaxed.

Who is a Candidate for Sedation?

Fear and anxiety over going to the dentist can cause you to avoid getting the treatments you need. Some patients may even avoid a simple cleaning and exam. When you avoid dental treatment, any oral health issues you might have only continued to grow worse. More serious dental issues can have a significant impact on your oral (and overall) health and will require a more invasive treatment to resolve. Sedation dentistry provides you with a way to relax and remain calm while you get the treatments you need, from a dental cleaning to oral surgery.

Other reasons you may need sedation include:
•  You have a bad gag reflex.
•  You have difficulty sitting still for any length of time.
•  Your teeth are extremely sensitive.
•  You have a low pain tolerance.
•  Your procedure will take a long time, or you need an extensive amount of work done.

If you are uncertain of whether or not you are a candidate for sedation, do not hesitate to ask.

Will Sedation Make Me Unconscious?

In short, no, sedation will not make you unconscious. All of the types of sedation we offer are a type of conscious sedation. Instead, you are put in a state of calm and relaxation. You will still be able to communicate and answer any questions we may need to ask you. With moderate conscious sedation (oral and IV), you will be made drowsy. You may not even remember parts, or any of your procedure, which may patients see as a major benefit.

How Long Does Sedation Last?

The length of time your sedation lasts depends upon the type, and strength, of your sedation. For instance, nitrous oxide only lasts as long as the mask is left on your nose with the nitrous turned on. When your procedure is complete, we turn off the nitrous, leaving the oxygen running for just a few moments to ensure that all of the effects have worn off. With other types of sedation, the effects can last anywhere from 2 to 6 hours.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Side effects of sedation are minimal:
•  Temporary amnesia (you may not remember parts, or any, of your procedure).
•  You may experience dry mouth after your procedure is completed.
•  You may experience a headache or nausea.
•  Grogginess (this is the most common side effect).

Once the sedation has worn off, you will begin to feel normal again.

What Types of Procedures Can Be Done Under Sedation?

All kinds of procedures can be done under sedation, from a simple cleaning to oral surgery. Sedation is not a part of most procedures, but it is available to help you manage anxiety and alleviate fear. If you are uncertain if sedation can be used for your specific procedure, do not hesitate to ask.

What Should I Do the Following Sedation?

This depends on the type of sedation that was used. With nitrous oxide (and even anxiolysis) you can drive yourself home when your procedure is over, as the effects wear off immediately. However, with oral and IV sedation, you will need to have someone drive you home, as the effects of sedation will linger for a while.

Is Sedation Safe?

As with any dental procedure, there are some risks. We are highly trained with sedation, and you are monitored throughout your entire procedure, which helps to minimize any risks that may be involved. We also perform a thorough exam and review your health history to determine if sedation (and which type) is the best option for you.

For more information about sedation dentistry, or to schedule your appointment, call Giri Palani DDS FICOI today at (310) 894-8301.





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