For millions of people, dental anxiety is a real and significant barrier to getting the oral health care they need and deserve. Whether your anxiety stems from a difficult experience or simply from the discomfort of sitting still in a dental chair for an extended time, our team at Mill Pond Dental in Mokena, IL, wants you to know that you have options.
Our sedation dentistry services are designed to help you feel relaxed, comfortable, and in control from the moment you arrive until the moment you leave. Avoiding dental care due to anxiety can lead to worsening oral health problems that become more complicated and expensive to treat over time. With sedation, we can often complete more treatment in fewer visits, helping you catch up on overdue care without the stress.
Oral conscious sedation involves taking a prescribed medication, typically a benzodiazepine, before your appointment arrives. By the time you are seated in the chair, you will feel deeply relaxed, drowsy, and at ease.
You remain awake and able to respond to our team’s instructions, but most patients have little to no memory of the procedure afterward. Oral conscious sedation is ideal for patients with mild to moderate anxiety who want a simple, effective way to get through their dental visit comfortably. You will need a trusted adult to drive you to and from your appointment.
For patients who require the deepest level of sedation or are undergoing extensive procedures, such as full-mouth dental implant placement, Mill Pond Dental brings in a licensed anesthesiologist to administer and monitor general anesthesia directly in our office. Under general anesthesia, you are completely asleep and unaware of the procedure throughout. This option is ideal for patients with significant dental phobias, complex medical histories, or those who simply prefer to sleep through their treatment. Having a board-certified anesthesiologist present ensures the highest standards of safety and monitoring throughout your procedure.
Depending on the type of sedation you receive, you may need to avoid food and beverages for a specific period before your appointment. Our team will provide detailed pre-treatment instructions tailored to your situation.
You should also plan to have a responsible adult drive you to and from your appointment, as sedation effects may continue for several hours afterward. We recommend resting at home for the remainder of the day and avoiding driving, operating machinery, or making important decisions until the medication has completely worn off.
Sedation is particularly popular among our dental implant patients, many of whom are undergoing longer procedures that benefit greatly from the relaxation and time compression that sedation provides.
Whether you are receiving a single implant, a full-arch restoration, or any other complex treatment, sedation can make the experience far more manageable and comfortable.
Depending on the type of sedation you receive, you may need to avoid eating and drinking for a designated period before your appointment. Our team will provide specific instructions ahead of time to ensure your treatment is safe and comfortable.
Once your treatment wraps up, you’ll need some time for the sedation to fully wear off. Be sure to have a trusted adult available to drive you home, and set aside the rest of the day to take it easy.
That comes down to the kind of sedation involved. Oral conscious sedation keeps you calm yet alert, whereas general anesthesia puts you fully under.
Absolutely. When it’s handled by qualified professionals who monitor you closely, sedation is a safe and dependable choice for the majority of patients.
Whether sedation is right for you depends on factors such as your medical history, current health, and the care you need, all of which we’ll go over thoroughly to keep your treatment both safe and effective.
This depends on the technique used and your body, but you may notice some grogginess and reduced reflexes for up to 24 hours afterward.
