At Hanin Dental, our Surrey dentists offer oral sedation for our patients who feel anxious about undergoing dental treatment. Here’s how the oral sedation process works.
Depending on the dosage given, oral sedation can range from a minimal to a moderate sedative effect. With minimal sedation, you’ll take a pill (most often, it’ll be Halcion, similar to Valium) about an hour before your procedure. You’ll still be fully conscious, but perhaps a bit drowsy.
Moderate sedation, which is more common for sedation dentistry with oral sedatives, requires a larger dose and may make you feel groggy enough to fall asleep during the procedure.
Depending on your needs, a variety of single or incremental dose protocols may be used to medicate the patient as early as a full day before the dental appointment.
Benefits of Oral Sedatives
Oral sedatives reduce anxiety in patients, and also allow certain procedures to be performed in fewer appointment and even in less overall time.
What is the oral sedation process like?
During your consultation appointment, we will discuss your needs and concerns regarding your upcoming procedure, and go over your medical history and lifestyle habits (such as smoking, alcohol use, and even vitamins and supplements you take).
Based on this data, we will give you a prescription of sedatives to be taken up to a full day before your appointment, or as little as an hour before, or both.
On the day of your appointment, we ask that you have a friend or family member drive you to and from our office, as driving is not recommended while under the effects of a sedative.
During the treatment process, our team will monitor you carefully to make sure you continue to feel comfortable and relaxed.
After your appointment, your companion should drive you straight back home. We recommend you take the rest of the day off of work or school, and do not operate any heavy machinery for the next 24 hours.
Also be sure to drink lots of fluids and remain well hydrated after your sedation dentistry appointment. Most patients feel no side effects a day after their appointment, and are able to return to their normal daily routines.