Sedation Dentistry in Houston, TX

Patients looking for sedation but who don’t want to be bothered with needles or gas have another viable option, oral-conscious sedation. Given in pill form, the sedative is administered by Dr. Davis or Dr. Guerre of Cosmetic Dental Associates in Houston about one hour prior to a procedure. The dentists can administer anything from a mild sedative to a moderate one, depending on the patient’s condition. With a moderate sedative, the patient will experience extreme drowsiness and might even fall asleep. As compared to other sedation options, oral-conscious medication can’t be altered once the patient has ingested it.

Experience the comfort and relaxation of oral-conscious sedation dentistry for dental procedures. This approach offers numerous benefits for anxious patients, ensuring a stress-free dental experience. Additional benefits include:

• Decreases anxiety and promotes relaxation during treatment
• Minimizes awareness of dental procedures
• Enhances comfort for patients with dental phobia
• Reduces gag reflex for smoother dental care
• Allows for longer or complex treatments to be completed
• Provides safe and effective sedation monitored by professionals
• Offers quick recovery with minimal side effects

In general, oral-conscious sedation may help adults and children who have anxiety or fears about going to the dentist. Before being given oral-conscious sedation, a full consultation will be completed to determine if you are a good candidate. We will review your medical history, current medications, and other factors to ensure you are safe to take anti-anxiety medication and also to see which type will best meet your needs. Oral-conscious sedation might not be a good option if you are dealing with respiratory or heart complications, are pregnant, or have had an allergic reaction to benzodiazepines in the past.

Before oral-conscious sedation is given, the patient should meet with a dentist to thoroughly review the patient’s medical history, current medications, and any drug allergies. If it’s determined that a patient is a good candidate, the dentist will go over sedation options. If oral-conscious sedation is chosen, the pill will be taken 1 hour prior to the procedure. The pill will produce a tranquil state and the feeling will last throughout the procedure and several hours afterwards, so the patient will require an escort to drive him or her home. Since the patient is still conscious throughout the procedure, he or she should be alert enough to hear the dentist and respond to instructions. If a patient feels groggy and falls asleep, a simple shake should rouse the patient to wakefulness.

After oral-conscious sedation is taken, a patient should not drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours following the procedure. In some cases, the patient may remember little or nothing about the particular dental procedure, though memory will be intact for the rest of the day’s events. Since a pain-reliever, such as a local anesthetic, is usually administered prior to the procedure, most patients report little or no pain or discomfort after the dental work. For the most part, oral-conscious sedatives are considered quite safe and most patients can tolerate them well with no side effects. In some instances, patients may feel nauseous or vomit after taking the sedative.

Is oral-conscious sedation safe?

Yes, for the majority of patients, oral-conscious sedation is generally considered safe when administered by medical professionals in a clinical setting. During your consultation with Dr. Davis or Dr. Guerre, they will review your medical history and talk to you about your concerns to ensure that oral-conscious sedation is right for you.

Does oral-conscious sedation make you go to sleep?

While some people can fall asleep with oral-conscious sedation, most patients will just feel relaxed, a little drowsy, or groggy without falling asleep. If patients do fall asleep, they can typically be easily awakened simply by shaking them gently.

How long does oral-conscious sedation take to wear off?

The effects can vary for each patient, but generally, the effects will wear off in about 4 – 8 hours.

Will I be able to drive after oral-conscious sedation?

No, both Dr. Guerre and Dr. Davis advise that you have someone drive you home after your procedure.

When it’s time to visit the dentist and you feel more than a few butterflies in your stomach, then it’s the right time to call our office to schedule your consultation. Our trained professionals can discuss your concerns and answer any questions you may have about our sedation techniques.