Oral sedation
For long appointments, and for fear that laughing gas on its own does not settle.
Oral sedation is a tablet you take before the appointment, prescribed by Dr. Malik after he reviews your health and your medications. You stay awake and able to answer, but drowsy, and most people remember little of the visit afterwards.
Any of these sound familiar?
- You have tried nitrous oxide and it was not enough.
- Several fillings or an extraction need doing in one longer sitting.
- Fear has kept you away for years and a first visit feels impossible.
- You gag so strongly that impressions and back teeth are hard to reach.
- You would rather not remember much of the appointment.
Start to finish.
-
01
Review and prescription
Dr. Malik goes over your health, your medications and anything you take that is not prescribed. If a tablet suits you he writes the prescription and tells you exactly when to take it.
-
02
Instructions to follow
You get written instructions before the day. They cover what you may eat, which of your regular medications to take, and who is bringing you.
-
03
Taking the tablet
The tablet is usually taken about an hour beforehand, often here so we can watch it take effect. Either way, someone has to bring you and take you home.
-
04
During the work
Your blood pressure and blood oxygen are checked through the appointment. The area is still frozen the usual way, and nitrous can run alongside the tablet.
-
05
The rest of the day
You rest here until you can walk steadily, then your driver takes you home. Expect to stay drowsy into the evening: no driving, no alcohol, no work, and someone with you at home.
What it costs, and who pays.
Oral sedation is billed separately from the dental work, and the appointment runs longer than the same treatment without it. Plans that cover sedation often cover nitrous oxide and not a tablet, so we check what yours does before the day.
Ask for a written estimateOral sedation, answered.
Will I be asleep during oral sedation?
No. You stay awake enough to answer and to move when asked, but you feel detached and time passes quickly. Many people remember only pieces of the appointment.
Do I need someone to drive me?
Yes, both ways. A responsible adult has to bring you, come back for you, and stay with you at home afterwards. You should not drive, work or sign anything important for the rest of the day.
How long does oral sedation last?
The strongest effect covers the appointment, usually two to three hours. Drowsiness can hang on into the evening, so plan a quiet day and nothing after it.
Can I take my usual medication that morning?
Usually yes, but tell Dr. Malik everything you take, including over-the-counter pills, supplements and cannabis. Some of them change how the sedative works, and your written instructions will say which to take and which to skip.
