How to Prepare for Your Sedation Dentistry Visit

Sedation dentistry can be a great benefit to dental patients, especially those who struggle with concerns such as anxiety, a strong gag reflex, sensitive teeth, and more. It can help patients have positive experiences and make it easier for dental workers to do their jobs as well.

If you have an upcoming sedation dentistry visit, there are steps you can take to get ready both mentally and physically. To prepare for sedation dentistry, share your medical history and concerns with your dentist; follow instructions for medications, food, and beverages; dress comfortably and remove accessories; arrange transportation ahead of time; make sure you have adequate support; and embrace an attitude of trust. 

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry describes dental procedures where a patient is given sedative medication to help them relax during their appointment. This treatment method helps to decrease pain, anxiety, and awareness as patients enter a comfortable, sleepy state.

While you will likely still be awake throughout your procedure, you will feel relaxed and may experience partial or complete memory loss.

Our team at Durango Dental offers two distinct types of sedation dentistry: IV sedation and oral conscious sedation. With IV sedation, medication is administered through an IV drip, and you feel strong effects right away. With oral conscious sedation, you simply take a pill or liquid before you arrive at your appointment, and you feel slightly less strong effects at a gradual pace. 

Who Can Benefit from Sedation Dentistry?

Dental professionals often recommend sedation dentistry for those who struggle with anxiety, an intense gag reflex, very sensitive teeth, difficulty sitting still, or for procedures that are long, complicated, or both.

  • Anxiety: It’s very common to feel anxious about the dentist, and sedation dentistry can help you to feel safe and calm.

  • Intense gag reflex: Some patients struggle with strong gag reflexes that interfere with dental procedures, and sedation helps to prevent this by relaxing the throat muscles.  

  • Very sensitive teeth: Hyper-sensitive teeth can interfere with regular visits, and sedation helps to either reduce or completely eliminate painful sensations.

  • Difficulty sitting still: Having a hard time sitting still is another frequent occurrence among dental patients, and sedation helps both you and your dentist as it keeps you still.

  • Complicated and/or long procedures: Sometimes, procedures that are either long or complicated make it difficult for patients to sit still and/or comfortably throughout their appointment, and sedation is often the best choice in these cases.

How to Prepare for Your Sedation Dentistry Appointment

Preparing for your sedation dentistry visit involves taking the right steps in the following areas: communication; medications; food and drink; clothing and accessories; transportation and support; and your mental headspace.

Communication  

Before you receive sedation, you’ll want to make sure your dentist is up to date on all of your medical information. They will need your full medical history, a list of any medications you’re taking, a list of allergies you have, and details of any past reactions to sedation.

Your dentist is also there to listen to any concerns you may have. If you feel nervous about sedation or the possibility of memory loss, it can be helpful to talk these feelings through with an experienced professional who can answer your questions and walk you through the experience. 

Medications

After talking to your dentist about your medications, they may potentially ask you to stop taking one or more of them a few days before you have your procedure. This is because some have the ability to influence how sedation works.

Further, if you are receiving oral conscious sedation, you will want to make sure you follow all instructions for taking the medication before your appointment. 

Food and drink

You might find that you have to fast before your appointment and avoid consuming food and drinks for a set amount of time. 

Your dentist will be able to provide more information on how long you should fast for, as well as instructions for eating and drinking afterward.

Clothing and accessories

It’s generally recommended to dress comfortably for sedation dentistry visits, wearing loose-fitting clothes and avoiding tight waistbands. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt or one you can easily roll up is also helpful for IV sedation.

You’ll want to wear shoes that are flat and comfortable and make sure to remove the following accessories: jewelry, nail polish, dentures, and contact lenses.

Transportation and support

It’s very important that you have a reliable means of transportation to and from your appointment, as it’s not safe for you to drive when given sedation. The person who drives you will be responsible for receiving care instructions after your procedure. 

It’s also nice to have someone who can keep you company before and after, providing comfort and reassurance if you feel anxious at first and making sure you have everything you need.

Mental headspace

Even if you feel a bit nervous, try to trust your dental team to the best of your ability. They are specifically trained to provide safe, comfortable patient experiences through sedation dentistry. 

Once you have received sedation, you can sit back, relax, and trust the professionals to handle the rest. 

Sedation Dentistry at Durango Dental

At Durango Dental, we’re proud to offer an array of dental services depending on your needs. We offer assistance with crowns, dentures, fillings, dental emergencies, and much more. 

Our sedation dentistry services are centered around patient comfort and success. Whether you receive oral conscious sedation or IV sedation, we’ll be with you through every step of the process to ensure a smooth visit and the best possible clinical outcome.

Sedation Dentistry in Durango

We’re here to create a positive, safe dental experience for our Durango community from start to finish through our sedation dentistry services. 

Connect with us today, and we can get your appointment scheduled or answer any questions that are on your mind.