Sedation Dentistry in Anchorage and Wasilla, AK

There are different levels of sedation dentistry depending on your individual needs. The level of anxiety you experience, the length of your procedure, your health history, and your personal preferences all play a role. Nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and intravenous sedation (IV) are the most common types of sedation dentistry.

Often called “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is used during dental procedures. Three to five minutes after inhaling nitrous oxide through a mask or nosepiece, you will feel a sense of calm. Sedation dosages are adjusted throughout your procedure by your dentist based on your needs.

About an hour before your procedure begins, your dentist will administer sedative medication (usually in pill form). The effects of oral sedation can leave you feeling quite groggy, and you may even fall asleep. A gentle nudge will wake you up, and you can still communicate with your dentist if necessary.

Among the conscious sedation options available in dental offices, IV sedation is the most intense. By using an IV line, your healthcare provider administers sedative medications directly to your bloodstream. In addition to monitoring your heart rate and blood pressure, your dentist checks your oxygen levels and blood pressure during the procedure. You can be adjusted to a different dosage at any time and reversal medications can be used if necessary.

Patients with severe dental anxiety, young children, or adults with special needs may require general anesthesia in a hospital or ambulatory surgery center. The term general anesthesia refers to a type of unconscious sedation. This means that you’ll be completely unconscious during the procedure.

You have been given medicine that can affect your perception, memory, and coordination during a sedation dentistry procedure. The effects of sedation typically wear off within a day (24 hours) after the procedure.

If you want to recover well from sedation dentistry, you should go home and rest as soon as possible. It is recommended that you have someone stay with you for a minimum of three hours after you leave our office if you live alone. Driving or operating heavy machinery for at least 12 hours after your appointment is prohibited. You should have a friend or family member drive you to your appointment and then pick you up afterward. Make sure you use assistance as much as possible when moving. You should move very slowly when getting up from lying down or standing from sitting. Dizziness should be treated by lying down and resting. Climbing stairs should be assisted by someone.

Be sure to stay hydrated on the day of your appointment. The day before your sedation visit, you should drink at least eight glasses of water. On the day of your sedation, you will not be allowed to eat or drink anything, so make sure you are hydrated. Sedation requires that you do not eat anything before your appointment. As a rule, nothing after midnight the night before is allowed. Ideally, you should arrange for someone to drive you to the appointment and then drive you home afterward.

In most cases, oral sedation recovers quickly, but some effects may last for the rest of the day. Before allowing you to leave, your dentist will check your heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. There is a possibility that you will feel drowsy or nauseated, have a headache, or feel sluggish for the rest of the day. Until your side effects subside, avoid working or intense physical activity.

If you struggle with dental anxiety or fear, it is important to understand how oral sedation affects you. Discuss your concerns with your dentist; they will be able to address your concerns and help you decide whether you should opt for sedation dentistry.

Sedation dentistry is available at Four Corners Dental Group. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We have convenient locations to serve you in Anchorage and Wasilla, AK. We serve patients from Anchorage, Wasilla, Knik-Fairview, Meadow Lakes, Campbell, Spenard AK, and surrounding areas.