Relieving dental anxiety with oral sedation

Oral conscious sedation can treat dental anxiety or fear of discomfort by helping patients relax during their procedure. Unfortunately, most patients who receive this type of sedation have little or no memory of their treatment. As a result, dental phobia is common in children and adults. Severe anxiety can even prevent patients from showing up for routine dental checkups. Left untreated, minor dental problems can worsen and require even more extensive treatment in the future at a Dentist in Arlington, VA. Doctors Omer Akmal has specialized training in sedation dentistry. Our entire team strives to provide an enjoyable and comfortable experience for all our patients.

What is oral conscious sedation?

Oral conscious sedation involves using sedative drugs to induce a state of relaxation. Your procedure's length and weight may determine appropriate doses. Often patients are given a pill to take before their appointment. Additional medications may be administered upon arrival to achieve the desired comfort level. Although many patients calm down with oral sedation dentistry, they can still respond to the dentist if necessary.

At Virginia Dental Care, our doctors have received specialized training in sedation dentistry, making it a safe and effective choice for your family.

Am I a good candidate for sedation by mouth?

Thousands of patients are subject to oral conscious sedation. You may be a good candidate if you:

• Experiencing dental anxiety
• Have extremely sensitive teeth
• Will be subject to a lengthy procedure
• Have an uncontrollable gag or gag reflex 
• Have health conditions that make it uncomfortable to sit in a dental chair

Risks and benefits of oral conscious sedation

The main risk of oral conscious sedation is when incorrect doses are administered. Our doctors have received specialized training in sedation dentistry at Virginia Dental Care, making it a safe and effective choice for your family. Your oxygen levels, heart rate, and blood pressure will be monitored for the entire duration of your dental procedure. Additionally, your medical history will be carefully reviewed during your initial consultation to ensure no sedation-related contraindications.

Oral conscious sedation offers many benefits. In addition to the ease of administration, patients subject to this type of sedation will have no memory of most of their procedures, including the necessary injections. Additionally, oral conscious sedation is generally more affordable than intravenous sedation.

The preparation process

Since sedative medications affect your memory and motor skills, a friend or family member must be responsible for transporting you to our office on the day of your dental procedure. Your driver should be able to help you enter and exit the car and help you to your couch or bed once you get home. In addition, since each individual's absorption metabolism can vary significantly, medications can take effect in as little as 20 minutes or up to two hours. We, therefore, ask our patients to take their first pill approximately one hour before the treatment.

Schedule a consultation with us

At Virginia Dental Care, our patients are our top priority. We are committed to providing you and your family with a safe, comfortable, relaxing atmosphere. If you cannot make appointments or visit the dentist due to anxiety, oral conscious sedation may be a solution. Call to find out more about how you can be sedated at our office at (703) 216-1010 or contact us online.