Sedation Dentistry Side Effects

port huron Dental sedation michigan can be a game changer when it comes to helping patients with dental phobia. While there is very low risk of experiencing any serious side effects from dental sedation, they can occur in certain cases. Prior to scheduling a procedure, your periodontist will review your medical and oral health history to ensure you are a candidate for sedation, and if so, which type is best suited for your needs. Provided you are in good general health, have significant dental phobia, and are not an increased risk of experiencing serious side effects, you may be a good candidate for any of the following types of dental sedation.

Oral Sedation Side Effects

Oral sedation (Xanax, Halcion, Valium) is easy to administer and can be taken in pill form in the comfort of your home approximately one hour before the procedure. The sedative works by decreasing activity in the areas of your brain that regulate anxiety and fear, putting you in a more calm and relaxed mode.

Common side effects include:

  • Dry mouth
  • Vomiting or nausea
  • Fogginess
  • Amnesia
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness
  • Headache

Because oral sedation is taken prior to your appointment, and because you may continue experiencing side effects once your procedure is complete, it will be necessary to arrange for a ride to and from your appointment. Most side effects will wear off after a few hours of the procedure.

Nitrous Oxide Side Effects

Nitrous Oxide is delivered in gas form and can be very effective for patients who have difficulty sitting still for extended periods of time, extreme tooth sensitivity, dental phobia, a low pain tolerance, and/or anxiousness. It is uncommon for patients to experience side effects, but if they do the most common include:

  • Excessive sweating
  • Shivering
  • Nausea
  • Mild hallucinations and sound distortion
  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Dizziness

The effects of Nitrous Oxide will dissipate quickly, allowing you to drive to and from your appointment.

IV Sedation Side Effects

Conscious IV sedation is administered through your vein and will not result in you going to sleep completely, but will put you in a state of mind where you are less aware of what is happening around you while the procedure is being performed. The effects will kick in very quickly and has a long amnesia period, which means you will most likely have no memory of the procedure being performed. An additional benefit to IV sedation is that it can be continuously adjusted to provide you with the optimum level of sedation. Potential side effects include:

  • Mild amnesia/sleeping through the procedure
  • Feeling sluggish or heavy
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Slower reflexes
  • Brain fog
  • Light bruising, bleeding, or swelling at the injection site
  • Dry mouth
  • Phlebitis or inflammation of the vein
  • Dizziness or lightheadedness

Once your procedure is complete, the effects of IV sedation will last for some time, which means you will need to arrange for someone to drive you home following the procedure. It is also recommended that you clear the rest of your day from any physical or work responsibilities.

More on Sedation Dentistry : What is IV Sedation Dentistry?