- Will I Still Feel Any Pain While Under Sedation?
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Local anesthetics are used to numb pain, while sedatives will lower your awareness of any additional
pain that could arise during dental procedures. You will most likely feel little to no pain and will
actually feel relaxed and comfortable before, during, and after your procedure(s).
- Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
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Sedation dentistry is safe for the majority of patients. There may be mild side effects for some
patients. There are, however, always some risks with any kind of medical procedure, including dental
work. Your medical history should be discussed with your dentist.
- Is Sedation Dentistry Safe For Children?
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Dental sedation is safe for both children and adults. In fact, it is often administered to children
to help with their anxiety and fear during dental visits.
- What Are the Side Effects of Dental Sedation?
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One of the primary side effects of dental sedation is actually intentional: temporary mild amnesia
effects. Another postoperative effect is reduced soreness in the treated and surrounding areas.
On rare occasions, patients may experience nausea from nitrous oxide or hiccups from various forms
of sedation. Other side effects may include:
- Drowsiness
- Slow reflexes
- Low blood pressure
- Headaches
- A feeling of "being sick"
- Feeling heavy or sluggish
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What is the Recovery Time After Sedation?
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Recovery time for every patient is different, but for most conscious sedation applications, recovery
is fairly quick. Most patients are alert shortly after their procedure. You will need someone to
drive you home, however, and should not drive or operate heavy machinery, or make important
decisions for 24 hours after your procedure.
- Do I Need to Prepare for a Sedation Visit?
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For nitrous oxide, you do not need to prepare apart from arranging for a driver (not an Uber, taxi,
or other forms of shared or public transit). If you are having oral or IV sedation, however, you may
receive a prescription for a sedative to take the night before your appointment. You will also
receive a complete list of pre-treatment instructions.