Stress-Free Dental Care
Dental anxiety is a common phobia that prevents many patients from receiving the care they need to maintain a healthy smile. Dr. Cortes and our team understand that visiting the dentist is frightening for some patients. That’s why we do everything in our power to ensure you have a comfortable experience, including offering oral sedation.
Explore our guide to learn more about oral sedation and how it can improve your treatment.
How Oral Sedation Works
Oral conscious sedation involves taking a small pill roughly an hour before your appointment. By the time you arrive at our office, the medication will have taken effect and we can begin your procedure.
You won’t actually lose consciousness at any point with oral sedation — you’ll remain awake and responsive throughout your treatment. However, you’ll be deeply relaxed and likely won’t remember your experience later. In addition to keeping you comfortable in the dental chair, this will help to reduce your anxiety for future visits.
Since oral sedation involves taking medication before you arrive, you’ll need to arrange for a ride to our practice. You’ll also need a ride home, as the effects may linger for up to a few hours after treatment.
Benefits of Oral Sedation
Oral sedation provides several benefits that will improve your dental experience, including:
- Makes you feel deeply relaxed
- Numbs you to pain and discomfort
- Allows you to remain conscious and responsive
- Impairs your memory of the treatment to reduce anxiety in the future
- No needles or injections
Ask Dr. Cortes About Oral Sedation
If you have dental anxiety, we can help you relax and get the quality care you need with oral sedation. By just taking a small pill, you can feel calm and euphoric throughout your procedure and leave our practice feeling renewed.
If you’re interested in oral sedation, call our practice at (954) 251-0804 and schedule a consultation with Dr. Cortes so he can determine if sedation is right for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! As long as it’s administered by an experienced and licensed dentist, oral sedation is completely safe. Dr. Cortes has completed extensive education in the field of conscious sedation, so you can trust him with your treatment. Rest assured, he’ll monitor your vital signs throughout the procedure to ensure they remain at a normal level.
If you suffer from certain medical conditions, such as obesity or sleep apnea, you may be at risk for complications from sedation. When you visit Dr. Cortes for a consultation, make sure to inform him of any health conditions so he can determine if sedation is safe for you.
No — oral conscious sedation hasn’t been linked to any long-term side effects. You’ll likely feel groggy after you finish your treatment, but you’ll be back to normal within a few hours at the most.
Oral sedatives are regulated by the FDA, so you can trust the effectiveness of the medication. Some patients experience short-term side effects during treatment, such as headaches or nausea, but this is highly unusual and won’t last more than a few hours.
The effects of oral sedation can take a few hours to wear off, so you’ll need to have someone drive you home from your appointment. Since the medication is taken before you arrive, you’ll also need a ride to our practice before your procedure. Please remember to make these arrangements in advance, as we won’t be able to start your treatment until we confirm you have a designated driver.