A Sedation Dentist to
Alleviate Any Anxiety
Far too many people forgo needed dental care due to a fear of the dentist. Unfortunately, neglecting your oral health not only affects the function and appearance of your smile – it can have an impact on whole body health as well. Dental conditions such as gum disease have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, among other things. To aid our patients who may suffer some degree of dental phobia, we offer oral conscious sedation at our Harrisburg dental office. Taken in the form of a pill approximately one hour prior to your appointment, this sedative greatly alleviates your anxiety while allowing you to maintain consciousness throughout your treatment. If this sounds like the right option for you, we encourage you to contact our Harrisburg dental office today. Oral conscious sedation is a simple yet effective means of calming a patient’s nerves, and we are proud to offer it at our practice.
Oral Conscious Sedation – How
Does It Work?
No needles, no face masks – just a simple pill. Oral conscious sedation is so-called because it is taken orally, making it an extremely convenient and popular option amongst our patients. For patients who are undergoing oral conscious sedation at our Harrisburg office, we advise them to have an escort to and from the dental office arranged, as they will be unable to drive in a sedated state. The process entails the following:
Step 1 – Night Before: If it is decided that oral conscious sedation will be employed for your treatment, you will be prescribed two pills. The first pill, typically an anti-anxiety drug belonging to the benzodiazepine or “benzo” family, is taken the night before your treatment. This helps ensure you enjoy a good night’s sleep, so that you are well-rested and relaxed for your treatment the following day. These pills work by binding with receptors in the brain to minimize activity in the parts of the brain responsible for fear.
Step 2 – Day Of: On the day of your treatment, you will be prescribed an additional anti-anxiety pill, which is to be taken approximately one hour prior to your appointment. The pill will take effect quickly, so it’s imperative that you have an escort, even if walking or taking public transportation. One of the most popular oral conscious sedatives is a drug by the name of Halcion, which is often used as an alternative to IV sedation for its effectiveness, but other anti-anxiety drugs may be used as well.
Step 3 – The Procedure: During your treatment, you will remain conscious and be able to respond to commands. However, you will be in a state of deep relaxation, one akin to a light sleep. One of the reasons we utilize oral conscious sedation at our Harrisburg dental office is because of the ease of use it provides. Individuals who are afraid of needles or fear they may feel claustrophobic with a face mask on can rest easy, knowing that taking an oral conscious sedative is no different than taking medicine for a headache or sinus infection.
Step 4 – After the Procedure: Once your treatment is complete, the effects of the oral conscious sedative will continue for upwards of several hours. You will be unable to drive and will be dependent on others until the effects have worn off. Again, we must stress that an escort is necessary. Once the effects have worn off, you will retain little to no memory of your procedure. The oral conscious sedatives are so effective at eliminating anxiety that one of the side effects is temporary amnesia. For many patients, this aspect of the sedative is the most attractive part; patients find themselves at home, their dental treatment complete, without remembering ever having gone to the dentist in the first place.
In addition to oral conscious sedation, we also offer IV sedation and nitrous oxide sedation at our Harrisburg dental office to help individuals cope with dental phobia. We would be happy to explain these options in greater detail during your initial consultation.
Contact Dr. Silvers Today
If you have a fear of the dentist, we want you to understand that you are not alone – and that there’s help. With oral conscious sedation, the team at our Harrisburg dental office has helped individuals suffering from severe dental phobia receive the care they need, and we are confident that we can do the same for you. Our goal is to provide you with a welcoming environment that is free of worry, anxiety, and pain. Please don’t hesitate to contact Silvers Family Dental Care today if you want to make the next step towards a new-and-improved smile.
