Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry
San Antonio, TX

 

 

Comprehensive Dentistry
“Teeth for a Lifetime” Examination
Family Dentistry

 

Preventive Dentistry
Exams & Cleanings
Sealants & Fluoride
Nightguards

 

Restorative Dentistry
Fillings
Crowns & Bridges
Complete and Partial Dentures
Extractions
Oral Conscious Sedation
IV Sedation

Many people find visiting the dentist to be an incredibly stressful and worrisome time. In fact, the fear that visiting the dentist causes them can result in them forgoing seeing a dentist at all. Unfortunately, this only leads to increased stress in the future when something happens that requires emergency dental treatment. By the time your oral health has deteriorated enough for this to be an issue, you will find yourself spending far more time in a dentist’s chair than you would have if you had simply visited them regularly to begin with. With that in mind, we here at Excellent Dental Specialists understand that trips to the dentist can be stressful. That’s why we do our best to help you relax via the use of oral conscious sedation.

What is oral conscious sedation?

Because visiting the dentist is an important part of living a healthy life, we do everything we can to help you feel comfortable in our offices. One of the options for those who become anxious at the thought of visiting the dentist is something known as oral conscious sedation. This is a form of sedation that is much easier on the body and is less involved than something like IV sedation. Instead of receiving an IV once you arrive to the dentist’s office, oral conscious sedation consists of anti-anxiety medication that you can sometimes take before even arriving at the office. You take the medication, usually in pill form, orally.

What kinds of medications are used with oral conscious sedation?

Common anti-anxiety medications are those known as benzodiazepines. This kind of medication is especially effective at quelling any building anxiety, allowing you to get through your dentist visit without fear. You might recognize this medication by some of the following names:

Ativan
Xanax
Halcion
Valium

As you can see, oral conscious sedation refers to a patient who takes a benzodiazepine medication in order to avoid placing excessive stress on their body and mind. This medication works to sedate the mind a bit while also working to combat anxiety and stress, which means that you’ll be fully conscious and able to interact with your dentist, but you will experience relaxation instead of worry.