Oral Sedation
For patients with a mild to strong fear of the dentist or of dental procedures, oral sedation is a great option, especially if the patient does not like needles. A sedative pill is taken prior to the appointment that will not make patients unconscious, but will make them very tired and relaxed, often unaware of the treatment. Below is some of the information we provide our patients when they choose Oral Sedation.
IV Conscious Sedation
IV Conscious Sedation is used to help patients feel more comfortable during periodontal surgery. During this procedure, a small tube, or catheter, is inserted into a vein in order to administer the sedative medication. The doctor is better able to control the level of sedation in this manner, as they can give as much or as little of a sedative to produce, and maintain, a relaxed state. Although some patients may report feeling as though they were “put to sleep,” the goal of this form of sedation is to maintain patient comfort with minimal risk. Once under sedation, patients are able to respond to verbal commands, and can breathe without help. This form of sedation is a great way to relieve anxiety during surgery, and provide amnesia of the surgical event. Below you can find some of the information we provide our patients when they chose IV Sedation.
PRESEDATION INSTRUCTIONS
IMPORTANT INFORMATION:
- Be present 15 minutes before your scheduled sedation/surgery time.
- DO NOT EAT OR DRINK ANYTHING, OTHER THAN INDICATED MEDICATION WITH THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF WATER POSSIBLE, FOR _6_ HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT. YOU MAY, HOWEVER, HAVE A SMALL AMOUNT OF WATER OR APPLE JUICE _3-6_ HOURS PRIOR TO YOUR APPOINTMENT. YOU SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO EAT OR DRINK AFTER THAT TIME. DO NOT HAVE A LARGE MEAL OR ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AFTER 10:00 P.M. THE EVENING BEFORE YOUR APPOINTMENT. YOU SHOULD TAKE YOUR NORMAL MEDICATION.
- Do not wear contact lenses, jewelry, or cosmetics, especially fingernail polish or eye makeup.
- Restroom facilities will be available before your appointment. Please be sure to use the restroom to empty your bladder and/or bowel. The anesthetic relaxes the patient and can interfere with their awareness of bladder and bowel fullness.
- Wear old, loose fitting clothing with short sleeves.
- If there is a significant chance that you are pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
- YOU MUST BRING WITH YOU A FAMILY MEMBER OR RESPONSIBLE ADULT WHO CAN DRIVE YOU TO YOUR APPOINTMENT AND HOME FOLLOWING THE APPOINTMENT. It is best that you have someone with you for the first few hours at home following your surgery to make sure that your recovery is uneventful. Both you and your companion must be present before surgery is started. He/she is to be available for you once surgery has ended.
- YOU MUST NOT DRIVE, OPERATE HAZARDOUS MACHINERY, MAKE IMPORTANT DECISIONS, OR WORK FOR APPROXIMATELY 24 HOURS AFTER YOUR SEDATION. ARRANGEMENTS SHOULD BE MADE TO HAVE SOMEONE HELP CARE FOR YOU AT HOME. Each person varies in how quickly they absorb drugs from their bloodstream and this precaution is given as a safeguard to you.
- These instructions are designed for your comfort and protection. A failure to follow any of these instructions may require us to cancel your appointment for that day. Should any other circumstance develop that would require the postponement of your surgery, such as an illness (cold or flu), please notify your periodontal surgeon as early as possible.
