The 411 on Conscious Dental Sedation

As much as we dentists don’t like to admit, we aren’t exactly seen as angels in the eyes of most people. In fact, it’s safe to say that the majority of people out there dread coming to the dentist— no matter how nice Dr. Dean Glasser is. And because sitting in the dental chair makes the majority of people at least a little bit anxious, sedation dentistry was invented. Here at Dr. Dean Glasser’s office, we provide patients with a variety of levels of sedation to help you feel as calm as possible during your procedure. For patients who are either undergoing a small procedure like a dental cleaning or cavity, or whom only have a little bit of anxiety, we may recommend either minimal or conscious sedation.

What’s Conscious Sedation?

Conscious sedation is a moderate form of sedation which puts patients in a state of relaxation but allows them to still remain awake and respond to commands. Typically, with this type of sedation, you won’t remember most of the procedure.

How Should You Prepare for Conscious Sedation?

Usually, with conscious sedation, we encourage patients to fast for about six hours beforehand and to avoid drinking anything for two hours before. However, during your initial consultation, we will go over a list of instructions to ensure that you come to your appointment fully prepared.

Make sure that you arrange for someone to pick you up from your appointment because you won’t be able to drive. If you need help arranging a ride, call our office a few days beforehand.

What Is Recovery Like?

One of the best things about recovering from conscious sedation is that it’s very minimal. Most patients experience a bit of grogginess after but that should quickly subside. Inf act, most patients can get right back to their activities just a few hours after their procedure.

Conscious sedation is a great way to stay calm and comfortable during an oral procedure without having to be fully sedated. If you are interested in learning more about conscious sedation and whether or not it’s right for you, contact our Melville office today and call (631) 423-6767.