Conscious Sedation at the Dentist
Conscious sedation
It is a treatment that brings great tranquility to patients who are afraid of the dentist and need to undergo dental treatment.
Although sedation can be used in any treatment, it is most frequently used in relatively major procedures, such as the placement of dental implants.
What is conscious sedation?
Conscious sedation is a technique that involves administering a series of sedative medications to a patient. In this way, we help the person to relax and minimize the discomfort or anxiety caused by a dental treatment.
Conscious sedation induces the patient to a state of semi-consciousness. That is, the patient is completely relaxed but is able to communicate and follow the instructions provided by the dentist (turn the head, open the mouth wider, etc.).
That being said, it must be taken into account that conscious sedation does not serve to alleviate pain. Therefore, when a treatment is performed under sedation, anesthetic medication must also be used, which is what avoids the pain and discomfort of each treatment.
Abaden Dentistas – Come to the dentist without fear thanks to Conscious Sedation
How is conscious sedation performed?
On the one hand, the dentist performs the dental treatment itself. On the other hand, the anesthesiologist is responsible for applying the sedative drugs and supervising the patient’s progress throughout the procedure.
In conscious sedation, the medication is applied intravenously. Therefore, the sedative effect is immediate. After this, the dentist will administer local anesthesia and begin to perform the treatment.
Throughout the procedure, the anesthesiologist will be responsible for monitoring the patient’s vital signs and regulating the medication administered.
Before carrying out dental sedation, the patient must have a complete blood test that includes a blood count and coagulation tests. In addition, they will have to fill out a pre-operative questionnaire specifying if they have any pathologies, allergies, and if they take medication for them.
After this, the anesthesiologist will verify that the person is in optimal health to perform dental sedation and will indicate the measures to be followed both before and after the procedure.
Having said all of the above, we would like to emphasize that at Abaden dental clinics we have a permanent team of anesthesiologists. This allows us to have the dental sedation service every day of the week. But, in addition, we offer it at a more affordable price than most clinics, which must hire the anesthesiologist by the hour.
What treatments can be done under sedation?
Sedation can be applied in any dental treatment, whatever it may be. For example: fillings, root canals, periodontal treatments, oral surgeries, etc.
However, it is most common to resort to it in major procedures, such as implants or bone regeneration.
This is simply because treatments that are longer or more complex are the ones that generate the most nerves or discomfort among patients.
In addition, one of the advantages of conscious sedation is that it allows grouping treatments. This means that we can perform several procedures on the patient in a single morning, and that they do not have to go to the clinic so many times.
Who is dental sedation for?
Conscious sedation is indicated in different cases. The most frequent is to resort to it when the patient is afraid or has a panic of the dentist. Or also, when they have had bad previous experiences, which causes them nerves or anxiety.
But, in addition, dental sedation is indicated in situations such as the following:
- Lack of time.
- Extensive treatment.
- Complex treatment or long surgeries.
- Discomfort with dental treatments. For example, due to nausea.
- Compromised health, which requires special control by the anesthesiologist.
At Abaden, we have been
improving smiles for over 40 years.
Phases of Dental Sedation
1. Administration of the sedative
The patient lies down in the dental chair and the anesthesiologist administers the sedative, which takes effect immediately.
2. Relaxation
The person reaches a state of maximum relaxation, which is maintained throughout the procedure and will give them a great feeling of well-being.
3. End of treatment
The patient wakes up with the feeling that time has not passed. A few minutes after waking up, they can leave the clinic.
What does conscious sedation feel like?
The main sensations that a patient has when conscious sedation is administered are the following:
Calm and relaxation
Loss of the notion of time
Drowsiness
Lack of memories
What medication is used for conscious sedation?
To perform a treatment under conscious sedation, a single medication or a combination of them can be administered.
The two most used drugs are midazolam and propofol. While the first is applied in most cases, the second is widely used in children.
What is the difference between sedation and anesthesia?
Sedation and anesthesia are complementary, but different, procedures. Therefore, the objectives they pursue are also different:
Conscious sedation
Its purpose is to relax the patient and minimize the discomfort caused by the treatment (fear, nerves, anxiety…). In this case, the patient is semi-conscious but can communicate with the dentist. Conscious sedation is administered only in some dental treatments (those that are longer, those that cause fear…).
Local anesthesia
It is the most used anesthetic technique in dental clinics. It does not affect a person’s level of consciousness. It numbs the part of the mouth in which it is administered and aims to avoid the pain and discomfort caused by the treatment. This means that local anesthesia is essential in a large number of dental procedures.
General anesthesia
Finally, there is also a difference between conscious sedation and general anesthesia. The latter affects both the level of consciousness and the perception of pain. The patient is completely unconscious, so they are not able to communicate with the dentist or follow their instructions. In addition, being a general anesthesia, they have no sensitivity in any part of the body.
What is the price of conscious sedation?
The price of conscious sedation depends on the treatment in which it is applied. And, above all, it varies depending on its duration.
For example, for short treatments of one to two hours – such as a root canal – the price of sedation is between 200 and 300 euros.
In contrast, for long treatments of three to five hours – such as dental implant surgery – the price ranges between 400 and 500 euros.
As we have previously mentioned, in our clinics we have a permanent team of anesthesiologists. And, therefore, we can offer lower prices than those of other centers.
Frequently asked questions
How long does conscious sedation last?
The duration of conscious sedation depends on the treatment to be performed, as well as other factors such as the type of medication used or the individual characteristics of each patient. Most sedations last at least one hour and a maximum of four hours.
Is conscious sedation dangerous?
Conscious sedation is not dangerous. The sedated patient is monitored at all times by a medical anesthesiologist and is in a special room, which has all the equipment established by the health authorities.
Should I prepare in any special way?
In addition to undergoing a series of medical examinations beforehand (blood count and coagulation test), it is important that the patient comes in fasting (for 6-8 hours) and accompanied to the dental clinic. This is because you may feel disoriented and drowsy until the sedation wears off.
What happens after sedation?
Normally, the patient has a feeling of well-being after sedation. However, it is common to feel drowsiness, disorientation, or headache. All these effects are a consequence of the medication used during sedation. Therefore, we recommend that patients come accompanied to the dental clinic, do not drive afterwards, and are in the company of a responsible adult during the six hours after sedation.
Do all dental clinics offer conscious sedation?
No. In order to offer the sedation service, it is necessary for the dental clinic to meet a series of requirements. These requirements are as follows:
- The center must have obtained a permit from the health authorities to carry out treatments with conscious sedation. In order to obtain this permit, a highly equipped room must be available: monitoring equipment for vital signs, constant flow of oxygen nasally, pulse oximeter, resuscitation equipment, and intravenous resuscitation medication.
- Have a medical anesthesiologist present during the entire dental treatment.
Can I undergo conscious sedation if I am a minor?
The combination of sedative drugs in pediatric patients is associated with greater depth in sedation levels and a greater number of adverse reactions. Although it is possible to perform sedations on minors, it is necessary for the medical team and the patient’s legal guardians to meet and assess whether it is the most recommended option, since not only medical factors but also behavioral factors influence it. In the case of younger patients (under 10-12 years of age), it will not be possible to perform conscious sedation in the clinic, since they do not understand this concept and are unlikely to collaborate and it will not be possible to perform the treatment.
In the event that unconscious sedation is desired in patients under 10-12 years of age, it is recommended to go to a hospital center that has pediatric anesthesiologists.
Financing
In our clinics we offer flexible, comfortable and adapted financing solutions to your budget, to help you get the dental treatment you need.
- Financing: Up to 12 months without interest. Up to 60 months with preferential conditions.
- Payment splitting: pay monthly in comfortable installments for the treatment.
- We facilitate a discount for prompt payment paying the entire treatment at the beginning.
- Multiple payment options: direct debit, credit card, cash, transfer, Apple Pay, Google Pay and Bizum.
Dental clinics
All of them have the most advanced technologies in the sector to achieve more precise diagnoses, more effective treatments and greater comfort and safety for our patients. Among them, we highlight the CBCT 3D Scanner, the iTero intraoral scanner and the Osstell implant stability meter.
Related articles
Dental anesthesia: what types are there?
Ramsay scale: sedation in the dentist
Our clinics are located in Catalonia
(opening hours from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Friday)
Book your appointment
More than 2,500 happy patients
