I have pretty severe anxiety that also makes its way into my dental care. I’ve been advised to try dental sedation but have this fear that I may wake up in the middle of it. I heard it is not the same as anesthesia so I’m a bit panicked to try it. What are the chances of me waking up?
Olivia
Dear Olivia,
Many people deal with dental anxiety, so don’t feel alone in this. It is great that you have been advised to try dental sedation because it has changed many people’s lives and given them the ability to get regular dental visits done without the anxiety that once paralyzed them. Yes, it is different than anesthesia. With anesthesia, you cannot move or communicate. With dental sedation, however you still retain full control of your faculties.
I’d recommend oral conscious sedation for you. This is administered by a pill. Though it is a pill, it is so strong that you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment as well as stay with you for several hours after your appointment until you are lucid and safely able to move about on your own again.
While it doesn’t force you to sleep, most patients do sleep through the entire procedure and don’t even remember it. Some people even refer to it as sleep dentistry. Whether you choose to sleep or not is up to you. Even if you are awake, you will be completely relaxed and the entire procedure is pain free.
In your position, I would look for a sedation dentist who is DOCS Certified. DOCS is the abbreviation for the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation. These dentists have more training in sedation than most and can even tailor your sedation medication to your specific needs and procedure. This is a lot like having the benefit of I.V. sedation but without all the needles.
I think you’ll be relieved that you tried dental sedation after your procedure is over and find that you can now get your dental care done without anxiety.
This blog is brought to you by Libertyville Dentist Dr. David Potts.