Oral Sedation in Hammond, LA

MINT dentistry proudly offers numerous solutions to help ease your dental anxiety or phobia so that you can obtain the beautiful, healthy smile you want with minimal discomfort. Our board-certified team of dental professionals recommends oral-conscious sedation for cleanings and advanced procedures to make sure your appointment is more comfortable. The oral-conscious method of sedation uses a prescription medication before your appointment. The medication will keep you conscious and able to respond to instructions but still incredibly relaxed. To get more information on oral-conscious sedation, including whether you're a candidate, contact our practice in Hammond, LA to schedule a consultation.

Oral-conscious sedation can be a great option for young patients and adults who have mild to moderate dental fears and anxieties. Before you are prescribed a medication for oral-conscious sedation, our Hammond, LA MINT dentistry team will perform a thorough consultation to make sure that you are a good candidate. Your dentist will go over your medical history, current medications, and other factors to ensure you can safely take an anti-anxiety medication, as well as the type and dose of medication that will be best for your needs. Oral sedation may not be a good option if you have breathing or heart problems, you are or may be pregnant, or you have an allergy to benzodiazepines.

There are several different types of medications that can be used to perform oral-conscious sedation. The type recommended by MINT dentistry will be based on your level of anxiety, your physical health, what procedure is being performed, and how long your appointment will last. Your sedation medication will be prescribed during your consultation so you can have it filled at a pharmacy before your appointment. Since you need to take it before you get to our office, you should arrange to have someone drive you. With light oral-conscious sedation, you will remain relaxed but awake. If you are under moderate sedation, you will still be awake, but you may think you were asleep because you may not remember what happened. You may fall asleep, but you will be easy to wake up. Your team will make sure you are comfortable and safe during your appointment.

Your recovery timeframe from oral-conscious sedation will depend on the medication are you prescribed. You will need to arrange for a responsible adult to pick you up after your appointment and stay with you for a few hours. Your team will speak with you about the potential side effects of your oral-conscious sedation medication. The most common side effects are temporary dizziness, headaches, vomiting, or nausea after oral-conscious sedation. The risk of nausea and vomiting can be reduced by having a light meal before taking the medication and eating a snack about one hour after your procedure. If you are concerned about symptoms after a few hours, please don’t hesitate to contact MINT dentistry in Hammond, LA for further information.

Our front office will speak to your dental insurance carrier to clarify your coverage for oral-conscious sedation before your appointment. Then, we can estimate your remaining bill. If you do not have insurance, your team will tell you which methods of payment are accepted by our practice, including low-interest medical financing to make it easier to afford your sedation and dental care. If you need help affording the treatments and procedures needed to maintain your oral health, ask our Hammond, LA team about the MINT Discount Plan. MINT dentistry is committed to exceeding your expectations and helping you feel comfortable during your visits.

If you've been avoiding the dentist out of dental fear or anxiety, oral-conscious sedation can help you get the care you need with minimal discomfort. Set up a consultation with one of our skilled, board-certified dental professionals to hear more information about sedation dentistry techniques, like oral-conscious medication, that can help keep you at ease during dental visits. We will work with you to find your best sedation method to make your visit to MINT dentistry in Hammond, LA enjoyable.