Oral Sedation in Durham, NC

Oral sedation is a form of conscious sedation that we may recommend to ensure that you have a comfortable experience each time you visit our office. Administered in pill form, oral sedation is simple and easy to use. Because oral sedation is a form of conscious sedation, you will remain awake during the treatment, but you will feel more relaxed and at ease. There are many other benefits to sedation dentistry, including:

• With oral sedation, you simply need to take a pill. It is quick and easy to use.
• There are no needles involved.
• It produces the necessary amnesic effect for a comfortable experience.
• Oral sedation typically costs less than other forms of sedation.

If you and our dentist determine that oral sedation is right for you, you will be prescribed a pill that will help you relax. You will also receive instructions to take the pill before your scheduled appointment; be certain to follow the specific instructions included with your pill. It is important that you have a family member or friend drive you to and from your appointment to provide maximum safety to yourself and others. When you arrive at our office, you will be awake but extremely relaxed. You may feel drowsy, and it is not unusual for you to not remember all of the details of your appointment. For more information about the benefits of oral sedation and how we can make your visit more comfortable, please call our office today.

You will be given a pill to take before your visit along with specific timing instructions, and it is important to follow them exactly, because the medication needs time to take effect before treatment starts. Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you both ways and to stay with you afterwards. Wear comfortable clothing, and tell us in advance about every medication and supplement you take, including over-the-counter ones, since some interact with sedatives. Ask us about eating and drinking beforehand, as that depends on what you are prescribed.

No. Oral sedation is a form of conscious sedation, so you stay awake and able to respond to Dr. Imeni throughout the appointment. What changes is how the visit feels: you will be deeply relaxed, time tends to pass quickly, and many patients remember very little afterwards. That amnesic effect is often the most valuable part for people whose anxiety comes from difficult dental experiences in the past. You are monitored for the whole of your appointment.

Considerably longer than nitrous oxide. Expect to feel drowsy for several hours and, in some cases, for the rest of the day, so plan to go home and rest rather than return to work. Do not drive, operate machinery or make important decisions until the next day, and have someone stay with you until the grogginess has passed. We will send you home with written aftercare instructions and a number to call if anything concerns you.