Do you need to get a dental procedure done and are worried about using dental sedation? If so, it will help to know these three things before you head into the dental office for your procedure.

Will You Feel Any Pain When Using Sedation?

Many people wrongly assume that dental sedation is the only thing used when you go to the dentist, and think that they may still feel pain during the procedure. Be aware that no matter what sedation technique is used that you will not feel pain. The same techniques to numb the area of your mouth will still be used, so the procedure will not be painful. Sedation is added onto the procedure as a way to make the patient more comfortable. 

What Is Conscious Sedation?

Your dentist may describe the type of dental sedation you will receive as conscious sedation. It means that you are able to respond to questions and move your arms freely, but you will likely feel very relaxed. This lets the dentist know how you are doing during the procedure so they can do a better job of caring from you. While you may be aware of what is happening at the time, conscious sedation can still produce anterior grade amnesia. This means that you won't remember anything that happened afterward, even though you were awake at the time. 

Some people react strongly to conscious sedation methods compared to others. While one person is able to respond to questions and feel very relaxed, another person may be incredibly sleepy and actually doze off during the procedure. You will not know what state you fall into until you actually use the recommended form of sedation from your dentist.

What Happens If You Experience Pain While Sedated?

If you are worried about experiencing pain during the procedure and not being able to communicate it, know that your dentist is going to be very good at identifying the signs of pain and discomfort. They will see you wince or even make audible sounds when you experience pain, since you body won't be able to hide it. The dentist will then make adjustments to the anesthesia that they are using and adjust the level of sedation if necessary so that you can better communicate about your pain and discomfort.

Still have questions? Don't be afraid to ask your dentist about your concerns with using sedation dentistry.