Oral-Conscious Sedation in Long Beach, CA

Oral-conscious sedation is ideal for patients who are prone to anxiety during procedures and offers a relaxing and comfortable dental experience. This form of sedation is more powerful than nitrous oxide sedation and is administered via a small pill. Typically, the pill is provided and taken 1 hour before a dental procedure. This will allow plenty of time for the sedation to take effect and allow our dentists at Emigh Dental Care to perform dental work safely and effectively. However, the strength of the dose may vary, which means mild to moderate sedation is possible depending on our dentists' recommendation and the patient's personal preference. If patients are nervous about their upcoming appointment, we invite them to call our Long Beach, CA office today to learn about oral-conscious sedation.

After oral-conscious sedation is taken, patients should not drive or operate heavy machinery for 24 hours following the procedure. In some cases, patients 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 their 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.

Before oral-conscious sedation is given, patients will meet with our dentists to thoroughly review their medical history, current medications, and any drug allergies. If it’s determined that they are a good candidate, our dentists 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 them home. Since they will still be conscious throughout the procedure, patients should be alert enough to hear our dentists and respond to instructions. If patients feel groggy or fall asleep, a simple shake should rouse them. 

When it’s time to visit our office and you feel more than a few butterflies in your stomach, oral conscious sedation may be the right option for you. Our trained professionals can discuss your concerns and answer any questions you may have about our sedation techniques.