Oral-Conscious Sedation in Los Alamitos, CA

Our team at Beachwood Dental offers different sedation methods to suit every patient's needs. For patients seeking an alternative to gaseous sedation methods, oral-conscious sedation is an effective option to help prevent discomfort during procedures and can be administered through a pill. The pill will be taken about an hour prior to the procedure being performed and can be taken for varying degrees of treatments. If the procedure is less-invasive and minor, then patients will be given a smaller dose, allowing them to drift into minor sedation, where they are awake but will not feel pain. For more extensive, surgical procedures, the patient can be given a larger dose to bring them into moderate sedation, which involves more drowsiness and light sleep for some patients. Our dentists will discuss with each patient at our Los Alamitos, CA office beforehand to determine the appropriate level of sedation for their optimal safety and comfort. 

Our dentist will meet with the patient to thoroughly review their medical history, medications, and any allergies to determine if the patient qualifies for oral-conscious sedation. If oral-conscious sedation is chosen, our dentist will prescribe the pill for the patient to take about one hour before their procedure. The patient will not be able to drive to or from their appointment, since the patient will be conscious but in a tranquil state. During the procedure, the patient will be able to hear our dentist and to follow any instructions. Some patients may fall asleep during the procedure, but they can be easily woken when the procedure is finished.

Patients should not drive for at least 24-hours after taking oral-conscious sedation, so our dentist recommends that each patient have a responsible adult take them home after their procedure. While the patient usually remains conscious during the procedure, the sedation causes short-term memory loss. Oral-conscious sedation is generally safe, but some patients may experience temporary nausea. Any unusual side effects or lasting pain should be reported to our dentist immediately.

If you are having a longer procedure or you have been skipping your regular exams and cleanings because of anxiety, oral-conscious sedation or other techniques can help you to remain calm and comfortable during your visit. For more information, schedule a consultation with one of our certified dentists and learn more about sedation options, including oral-conscious sedation.