Oral-Conscious Sedation in Indianapolis, IN

At Martin Dentistry in Indianapolis, IN, general and cosmetic dentists Drs. Martin, Martin, and Marshall offer oral-conscious sedation for patients who want to be more relaxed and less anxious, but still remain awake during their dental appointment. Patients take one pill an hour before their appointment and possibly another upon arrival. The patient's anxiety level will help the dentist determine the right level of sedation and different dosages will lead to different levels of consciousness during the procedure. The dentist and staff will closely monitor the patient throughout the visit to make sure they are safely sedated. It's important to note that patients are not allowed to drive after being under oral-conscious sedation, so they will need to arrange for a ride home from their appointment.

Before oral-conscious sedation is given, the patient should meet with a dentist to thoroughly review the patient’s medical history, current medications, and any drug allergies. If it’s determined that a patient is a good candidate, the dentist 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 him or her home. Since the patient is still conscious throughout the procedure, he or she should be alert enough to hear the dentist and respond to instructions. If a patient feels groggy and falls asleep, a simple shake should rouse the patient to wakefulness.

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

When it’s time to visit the dentist and you feel more than a few butterflies in your stomach, then it’s the right time to call our office to schedule your consultation. Our trained professionals can discuss your concerns and answer any questions you may have about our sedation techniques.