Conscious Sedation Provider

What is conscious sedation? 

Conscious sedation means you receive a sedative before undergoing dental work. The sedative helps you feel relaxed and eases your anxiety, but you’re awake and responsive during the procedure.

Conscious sedation is different from general anesthesia, where you’re completely asleep during a procedure. It’s also distinct from local anesthesia, where you receive a numbing medication to prevent pain while you undergo dental work. Conscious sedation specifically focuses on relieving your anxiety and allowing you to feel at ease while receiving dental work.

The staff at Plano Dental Excellence uses conscious sedation to ensure you get the treatment you need. It’s common for people to be afraid of going to the dentist and to avoid dental care for that reason. Of course, avoiding the dentist out of fear can have a serious impact on your dental health.

Don’t hesitate to ask the team at Plano Dental Excellence about conscious sedation, even if you’re just getting a routine cleaning. If you have reservations about receiving dental work, conscious sedation can dramatically improve your experience.

How does conscious sedation feel? 

Depending on how anxious you are and the procedure you’re undergoing, you may receive a sedative in the form of a pill, an IV, or inhaling gas through a mask. When you’re consciously sedated, you feel awake but calmer than usual. Usually, you don’t remember the procedure afterward.

The most common and lightest form of conscious sedation technique is nitrous oxide gas, also known as laughing gas. As the name suggests, you feel relaxed, and even euphoric, which may include involuntary laughter. Even if you’re normally anxious about receiving dental work, nitrous oxide gas allows you to relax and tune out your usual fears about going to the dentist.

Before administering conscious sedation, Dr. Ku goes over the technique he plans to use, tells you exactly what to expect, and answers any questions you may have.

Is conscious sedation safe?

Plano Dental Excellence is cautious about their use of sedation techniques. They aim to provide the lowest effective amount of sedation, just enough to help you feel relaxed and get the dental care you need. Conscious sedation doesn’t have the same risks as anesthesia.

Plano Dental Excellence also uses methods like laughing gas that wear off quickly. Usually, you can drive safely after undergoing laughing gas. They like dental work to be minimally disruptive for you, and for you to feel at ease about every aspect of the procedure.

The purpose of conscious sedation is for you to feel comfortable at Plano Dental Excellence. The staff uses conscious sedation with your full permission and consent and makes sure you’re fully informed about it before beginning any procedure.

To learn more about conscious sedation, call Plano Dental Excellence or use the online booking tool.