When was the last time you visited the dentist? If you've been putting it off because the thought of having your teeth cleaned fills you with anxiety, you're not alone. Sedation dentistry is becoming ever more widely adopted as a way to help people who fear the dentist's chair get through the treatments they need more easily. Glenville Smiles offers sedation dentistry services for patients in the Schenectady, NY area. Read on to learn more about what to expect going into your sedation dentistry visit.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry involves the use of medication to relax patients during dental work. This medication can be administered orally through a tablet, as a gas that is inhaled, or intravenously for a quicker effect. While anesthesia is commonly used for serious procedures that require a patient to be completely unconscious, being sedated will technically still leave you awake and, depending on the intensity, somewhere between relaxed yet alert and veering on the edge of sleep. It can used for anything from invasive surgeries to basic check-ups.

What Will You Experience?

For many people, it is the fear of pain that keeps them away from the dentist. Generally, with sedation dentistry you will not feel any pain, and in the rare event that you do notice a sensation, it will likely register as more of a mild discomfort. Rather, you should experience a sense of calm and perhaps feel lightheaded or as if your limbs are heavier. Most patients leave the office with little memory of their treatment. However, if you've undergone a serious procedure that requires recovery time, you will feel pain normally once the sedation wears off as your teeth and gums heal. The major effects of the medication should dissipate in around a half hour, but it can take a full 24 hours for it to completely leave your system.

How Should You Prepare?

In order to avoid potential negative effects of an interaction between the sedative and other medication, you'll want to thoroughly inform your dentist about your health history. Be sure to make them aware of any prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. Unless you are informed otherwise, you should not eat or drink anything for at least 6 hours before your appointment. Afterwards, however, make sure to re-hydrate by drinking plenty of fluids. Lastly, arrange for someone to drive you to and from your visit, and if your job involves operating heavy machinery, plan to take the rest of the day off.

Contact the Qualified Dentistry Professional's for More Information on Sedation Dentistry

For any additional information about sedation dentistry and whether it is an appropriate option for you, please contact the caring staff at Glenville Smiles today!