Many people are understandably nervous about coming to the dentist. Unfortunately, for some, visiting the dentist can be so anxiety-inducing that they put off needed dental appointments for years. Here at Aesthetic Dentistry of Staten Island, our job is to make sure you are as comfortable as possible. One of the ways we can accomplish this is through oral conscious sedation. Continue reading to learn more about what this means, how it works, and what you can expect from the process, and feel free to contact Aesthetic Dentistry of Staten Island for any questions you may have.

What is Oral Conscious Sedation, and Who is a Good Candidate?

Simply put, oral conscious sedation is a form of dental sedation that involves taking prescribed medication by mouth before a dental procedure to help patients feel relaxed and at ease during treatment. Unlike general anesthesia, oral conscious sedation does not render patients fully unconscious. Instead, it is designed to place patients in a deeply relaxed state while still allowing them to remain awake and responsive throughout their procedure.

There are many reasons why someone may be considered a good candidate for oral conscious sedation. For example, some patients experience moderate to severe dental anxiety, while others may have had a negative dental experience in the past that continues to impact them years later. Additionally, certain patients have very sensitive gag reflexes, difficulty becoming numb with local anesthesia alone, or trouble remaining comfortable during longer procedures. Some of the patients who commonly benefit from oral conscious sedation include those who:

Experience fear or anxiety before dental appointments
Have avoided the dentist for an extended period of time
Need multiple procedures completed in fewer visits
Have a strong gag reflex
Have difficulty sitting still for long procedures
Have sensitive teeth or heightened sensitivity during treatment
Feel anxious around needles, drills, or dental instruments

How does oral conscious sedation work?

Oral conscious sedation works by helping slow activity within the central nervous system, thereby creating a calming and relaxing effect for the patient. In most cases, the prescribed medication is taken approximately one hour before the scheduled dental appointment, though exact instructions may vary depending on the medication being used and the patient’s specific needs.

As the medication begins to take effect, patients will generally begin feeling drowsy, calm, and less aware of the sights and sounds around them. Many patients describe the sensation as feeling extremely relaxed or detached from the stress commonly associated with dental treatment. While every patient reacts somewhat differently to sedation medication, oral conscious sedation will generally allow patients to:

Remain calm throughout treatment
Feel significantly less anxious
Remain responsive to verbal instructions
Experience reduced awareness of the procedure
Remember little or none of the appointment afterward

It is also important to understand that oral conscious sedation is usually combined with local anesthesia to ensure the treatment area remains numb and comfortable throughout the procedure itself.

The strength and duration of sedation may vary depending on several factors, including:

The medication used
The dosage prescribed
The patient’s body weight, metabolism, medical condition
Overall tolerance to the medication

For this reason, patients should always follow all pre-procedure instructions and only take sedation medication exactly as prescribed.

Additionally, because the effects of oral conscious sedation can linger for several hours after treatment has concluded, patients will need someone to drive them to and from their dental appointment.

Will I be asleep during oral conscious sedation?

This is perhaps one of the most common questions patients ask regarding oral conscious sedation. Fortunately, the answer is generally “no.”

Though oral conscious sedation can make patients feel extremely relaxed and drowsy, patients typically remain awake during treatment. In many cases, patients may drift in and out of a very light sleep-like state, however, they are usually still able to respond when spoken to and follow simple instructions from the dentist when necessary. Under oral conscious sedation, patients can generally still:

Respond to questions
Follow verbal instructions
Breathe independently
Communicate discomfort if necessary
Remain conscious throughout the procedure

That being said, because the medication can produce a temporary amnesic effect, many patients remember very little about the procedure afterward. For obvious reasons, this is often especially beneficial for patients with severe dental anxiety.

It is also important for patients to understand the distinction between oral conscious sedation and general anesthesia. Under general anesthesia, patients are fully unconscious and typically require much more extensive monitoring throughout the procedure. Oral conscious sedation, on the other hand, allows patients to remain conscious while still achieving a very deep state of relaxation.

Generally speaking, oral conscious sedation is often sufficient for many common dental procedures and allows patients to receive treatment comfortably without the greater intensity associated with general anesthesia.

Is oral conscious sedation safe?

Fortunately, oral conscious sedation is widely considered safe when administered properly by trained dental professionals who have thoroughly reviewed the patient’s medical history beforehand.

Prior to recommending oral conscious sedation, the dental team will typically discuss several important aspects of your health history, including:

Current medications
Allergies
Heart conditions
Respiratory conditions
Sleep apnea
Liver or kidney conditions
Pregnancy
Previous reactions to sedation medications

Naturally, patients should always answer these questions honestly and completely, as doing so allows the dental team to determine whether oral conscious sedation is appropriate and safe.

During treatment itself, patients are monitored carefully to ensure they remain comfortable throughout the procedure. Additionally, patients are usually provided with detailed pre-operative and post-operative instructions designed to further minimize risk and promote a smooth recovery process.

These instructions may include directions regarding:

Eating and drinking before the procedure
Avoiding alcohol beforehand
Arranging transportation home
Taking medications properly
Resting after treatment

After the procedure is complete, patients may continue feeling drowsy or groggy for several hours. For this reason, patients should avoid driving, operating machinery, returning to work immediately, or making important decisions until the medication has fully worn off.

What medications are used for oral conscious sedation?

There are several different medications that may be prescribed for oral conscious sedation, depending on the patient’s needs, level of anxiety, medical history, and the type of procedure being performed.

In many cases, dentists use medications that belong to a category known as benzodiazepines, which are medications commonly prescribed to help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation.

Some examples of medications that may be used include:

Triazolam
Diazepam
Lorazepam
Midazolam

These medications work by calming the nervous system and helping patients feel significantly more relaxed throughout treatment.

Patients should understand that sedation medications should only ever be taken exactly as directed by the dentist. Additionally, patients should avoid combining sedation medication with alcohol or certain other medications unless specifically instructed otherwise, as doing so may increase the risk of complications or unwanted side effects.

Some temporary side effects associated with oral conscious sedation may include:

Drowsiness
Dry mouth
Mild dizziness
Grogginess
Limited memory of the procedure

Fortunately, for many patients, oral conscious sedation can make it possible to finally receive important dental treatment without overwhelming fear or anxiety standing in the way.

Contact Aesthetic Dentistry of Staten Island

If you think oral conscious sedation may provide you with the relief you need, please don’t hesitate to contact Aesthetic Dentistry of Staten Island to schedule an appointment today. We are here to listen to your concerns, ease your mind, and advise you on the best path forward.

Oral Conscious Sedation