Avoid Pain and Anxiety
Sedation Dentistry in Simpsonville
At Pearl Dental Studio, we know how important it is to have an enjoyable visit at our office. To ensure that every patient is comfortable, pain-free, and calm, we offer sedation for any treatment. If you feel that sedation dentistry will help you have a positive experience with us during your dental appointment, call today to discuss your needs with an expert or stop by our office located at 117 Batesville Road Suite 202
Simpsonville, SC 29681.
Understanding Sedation
How Does Sedation Dentistry Work?
Sedation dentistry utilizes anti-anxiety medication to help you feel more comfortable and safe throughout your dental treatment. At Pearl Dental Studio, Dr. Cash offers oral conscious sedation as well as minimally inhaled sedation. Sedation can reduce feelings of anxiety, nervousness, and fear. When combined with local anesthesia, these methods help ensure that you feel absolutely no pain or discomfort during your procedure.
Candidates for Sedation
Common Reasons to Choose Sedation
The most common reason that patients choose to be sedated is dental anxiety. Studies show that dental anxiety may affect up to 20% of Americans. In extreme cases, dental anxiety can prevent patients from getting even the most basic dental care, such as cleanings and oral exams.
Sedation can also be used for a number of other reasons. It can help patients sit still for long periods of time, which may be necessary if you are receiving extensive or invasive treatment. It can also temporarily lessen your gag reflex, which makes it easier for Dr. Cash to work on your rear teeth. To find out more and see if you’re a good candidate for sedation, schedule your appointment now.
Our Sedation Options
Minimally Inhaled Sedation
Minimal inhaled sedation can help reduce feelings of anxiety and nervousness. This method of sedation causes euphoria and makes you feel a bit disconnected from your body. It’s also an analgesic, which means it reduces the sensation of pain. However, you will stay conscious and alert throughout the entire procedure. Minimally inhaled sedation wears off within about 5 minutes of treatment, so you can drive yourself home or even go back to work after your treatment.
Our Sedation Options
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is taken in pill form about an hour before your appointment. This form of sedation will help you feel calm and relaxed during treatment, but may also make you feel groggy or sleepy. Patients are typically awake during treatment, just in a much more relaxed state. Its effects can last 4-6 hours or longer, so you will need to arrange for a ride to and from your appointment.
How To Prepare
For Sedation
Before you can be sedated, Dr. Lindsay Cash will need to learn more about your medical history, any medications you may be taking, and any past issues you may have had with drug abuse. This information is required to ensure that sedation is appropriate for you, and will not pose any risks to your health and well-being.
For all methods of sedation, you’ll want to dress comfortably in loose-fitting clothing to make sure you feel comfortable in the dentist’s chair. If you are having nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation, there are no additional steps to take. Just come into Pearl Dental Studio for your appointment.
You’ll need to take a few more steps to prepare for oral conscious sedation, however. You will typically need to fast (not eat or drink) for at least 6 hours before your procedure to ensure the sedative is digested properly. Typically, you’ll take your sedative about an hour before your appointment.
In addition, you will need to have a responsible adult drive you to and from your Simpsonville dentist. The after-effects of oral conscious sedation can seriously impair your ability to operate a vehicle or heavy machinery, and they last 4-6 hours or longer, in most cases. We will need to release you into the care of an adult, and have them drive you home.
What To Expect
After Sedation
Immediately after the flow of nitrous oxide stops, the effects of laughing gas will begin to wear off. Most patients feel completely normal after about 5 minutes. However, there are a few after-effects of laughing gas sedation that are quite common, such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness.
These should pass very quickly. You can drive yourself home after laughing gas sedation, since the gas does not impair your motor skills and wears off very quickly. It may be wise to rest and relax for the rest of the day after a serious oral procedure, but you can go back to work or school if necessary.
The after-effects of oral conscious sedation are quite different, and last a lot longer. You will likely feel very confused and groggy, and will forget most of what happened during the last 1-2 hours. Nausea, headaches, and feelings of heaviness or sluggishness are to be expected. Your motor skills will be impaired, so you cannot drive yourself home, as mentioned.
You cannot go back to work or school after you receive oral conscious sedation. You should go home under the care of a responsible adult, and rest and relax as the effects of the drugs wear off.
Please be aware that though you may feel normal after a few hours, your motor skills and ability to drive safely may still be impaired for up to 6 hours or more depending on your size, gender, and metabolism.
Even after you’re driven home by the person you brought with you to your appointment, it’s usually best not to drive at all on the day that you’re being sedated at our Simpsonville office. Driving under the influence of drugs, even sedatives administered legally by a dentist, is a crime, and it’s extremely unsafe.
