Q: How does the oral sedation works?
Children who are more anxious may need an oral medication that is stronger than nitrous oxide. Several medications have a significant calming effect. When choosing a medication, the dentist will consider your child’s anxiety level, his or her ability to cooperate and the treatment required.
With oral sedation, your child may be sleepy but can be aroused if necessary and can respond to simple commands. Minor side effects such as nausea or vomiting can occur with some medications.
Before a visit in which your child is to receive oral sedation, you should receive instructions about eating and drinking, what to expect and what to watch for after treatment. You may need to carry your child home after sedation. Your dentist should also discuss how your child will be monitored while he/she is sedated. You will need to stay for a short time after dental treatment has been completed so your child can be observed for full recovery and possible complications.
IV Sedation also known as “deep conscious sedation,” is thus not as commonly available as other conscious sedation techniques such as oral conscious sedation, but it is safe and effective treatment for patients with moderate to severe anxiety. The medication is administered directly into a patient’s bloodstream, and thus the major advantages of IV sedation are that:
1) It acts quickly to sedate the patient. Oral medications often require an hour or more to take effect.
2) If the patient is not sedated enough during the treatment, the dentist can administer more medication through the IV, and the effect is instantaneous.
3) In addition, the patient will usually have little or no memory of the dental treatment.
Before, during and after the treatment, the IV sedation dentist will monitor the patient’s heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. Patients who receive IV sedation are generally not allowed to leave the dental office alone.