Sedation Dentistry – Raleigh, NC

Oral Conscious Dental Sedation

Those with moderate levels of dental anxiety can find comfort in oral conscious sedation, a common form of dental sedation. This sedative is taken orally and allows you to feel incredibly relaxed by the time your appointment begins. Since the effects can take some time to take hold, it is recommended that you take it several hours before your treatment begins. You’ll still be awake so that you can answer our questions and inform us of your current comfort levels.

What is Oral Conscious Sedation?

Oral conscious sedation is one of the most common forms of dental sedation available. After having a thorough review of your medical history, medications that you’re currently taking, and allergies that you may have, we can confirm whether or not oral conscious sedation is worth a try. You will need to take a pill prescribed to you by your dentist about an hour before your appointment. By the time you arrive at our practice, you should be perfectly relaxed and ready for your treatment.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work? 

This sedation option isn’t meant to put you to sleep. Instead, you will be awake and able to communicate with your dentist while feeling laid back and relaxed. Because of how effective this sedative is, you will need a trusted friend or family member to drive you to and from the practice. It is also important to wait until the sedative has completely worn off before you can resume normal activities, like going to work.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

Oral conscious sedation is a great option for patients with the following:

• Dental Anxiety: If you have dental anxiety, oral conscious sedation can help you feel more relaxed in time for your treatment.
• Increased Sensitivity: For patients who have teeth or gums that are particularly sensitive, oral conscious sedation can help to lessen this.
• Overactive Gag Reflex: If smells, tastes, or the presence of dental tools in your mouth make you gag easily, oral conscious sedation can reduce this. This allows you to feel more comfortable and helps your dentist work faster and more efficiently.
• Long Procedure: Even if you feel particularly relaxed at the dentist, if you have a long, thorough procedure coming up, oral conscious sedation can help to make the experience more tolerable.

Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation

Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective sedative agent that is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small mask that fits over your nose to help you relax. Nitrous oxide (sometimes called "laughing gas") is one option your dentist may offer to help make you more comfortable during certain procedures. It is not intended to put you to sleep. You will be able to hear and respond to any requests or directions the dentist may have. Your dentist will ask you to breathe normally through your nose, and within a few short minutes, you should start to feel the effects of the nitrous oxide. You may feel light-headed or a tingling in your arms and legs. Some people say their arms and legs feel heavy. Ultimately, you should feel calm and comfortable. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off soon after the mask is removed. Talk to our team about whether nitrous oxide would be a good option for you.

IV Dental Sedation

Our dental office utilizes IV conscious sedation for patients undergoing procedures such as wisdom tooth removal, dental implants, or other complex procedures requiring a deeper sedative effect than oral sedation alone. The administration of certain medications produces an altered level of consciousness that still allows a patient to respond to physical stimulation and verbal commands, and to maintain an unassisted airway. Proven to be a safe form of anesthesia, IV sedation allows us to create the most comfortable environment for our Raleigh patients without the risks associated with general anesthesia.