Your Edmonton Invisalign® Provider
Forms of Dental Sedation
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is a widely used method of dental sedation that is highly favored by patients. It typically takes a few minutes for the nitrous oxide to take effect, but its effectiveness is sustained as long as it is consistently inhaled.
Once the flow of gas is halted by the dental technician, it usually takes only a few minutes for the patient to recover to a satisfactory level. Following the procedure, the patient may experience a slight sense of disorientation, but their cognitive abilities should swiftly return to normal.
Oral Sedation
For patients opting for dental sedation in pill form, the medication can be taken either the night before the scheduled procedure or several hours prior to the dentist appointment. As the oral sedation starts to take effect, patients may experience a sense of disorientation and drowsiness. Oral sedation is beneficial in suppressing various factors such as the gag reflex, pain responses, anxiety, and more.
However, these dental sedation methods usually last anywhere from two to eight hours after the procedure. The type of drug you take will determine how long it will take for the sedation to wear off. Oral sedation may cause you to experience an amnesic effect. In fact, you may not remember ever visiting the dentist’s office.
Conscious Sedation
Conscious sedation helps reduce pain, discomfort, and anxiety during certain dental procedures. This form of sedation works together with drugs and, sometimes, anesthesia to help patients feel relaxed. In dentistry, conscious sedation is ideal for people who often feel panicked and anxious during complex dental procedures. Such procedures include routine cleanings, root canals, and fillings.
Medical professionals often refer to this form of dental sedation as analgesia and procedural sedation. In the past, people called it happy air, sleep dentistry, laughing gas, happy gas, and twilight sleep.
How Long Does Dental Sedation Last?
Dental sedation is particularly suitable for patients who need to undergo lengthy procedures that require them to remain still for extended periods. It is also commonly employed for pediatric patients who may struggle to sit still throughout lengthy procedures.
To ensure safety during sedation, it is crucial to refrain from eating or drinking anything for a minimum of six hours before the procedure and during the sedation period. Maintaining an empty stomach helps prevent any potential obstruction in the airways caused by regurgitated food while under sedation.
After the procedure, you will remain in the cabinet for a while as you recover. Usually, dental sedation will start wearing off after half an hour or so. You may still feel lightheaded and drowsy for a few hours afterward. Therefore, you should have someone to keep you company and transport you home safely.