Oral Sedation Joliet, IL

As a premier, modern dental office, MINT dentistry is proud to offer safe, effective solutions to quell your dental anxiety or phobias, so you can have the beautiful, healthy smile you want with minimal discomfort. The board-certified team of professionals at MINT dentistry in Joliet, IL recommends oral-conscious sedation for longer procedures and bi-annual cleanings to make sure your appointment is more comfortable. Oral-conscious sedation involves taking a prescribed anti-anxiety medication prior to your visit. This method keeps you conscious and able to respond to instructions while still feeling incredibly relaxed. To get more information on this sedation dentistry method or to find out if you are a candidate, contact our office in Joliet, IL to schedule your consultation.

Oral-conscious sedation can often be used to help younger patients and adults who suffer from mild to moderate anxieties or fears about going to the dentist. Before you are prescribed a medication for oral-conscious sedation, our Joliet, IL MINT dentistry team will need to complete a comprehensive evaluation to make sure that you are a good candidate. Your dentist will go over your medical history, current medications, and other factors to ensure oral-conscious sedation is safe for you, as well as the type and dose of medication that will be best for your needs. Oral-conscious sedation may not be a good option if you have breathing or heart problems, you are pregnant, or you have an allergy to benzodiazepines.

There are several different options for oral-conscious sedation medication. The type recommended by MINT dentistry will depend on your level of anxiety, your overall health, the procedure you are getting, and the estimated length of your appointment. Your oral-conscious sedation medication will be prescribed at your consultation and you should have it filled at a pharmacy before your appointment. Since you need to take it before arriving, you need to have a responsible adult take you to your appointment. With light sedation, you will feel relaxed but awake. With moderate sedation, you will still be conscious, but you may feel like you were asleep because of short-term memory loss. You may fall into a light sleep, but you will be easy to wake up. Your team will ensure you feel safe and cared for during your visit.

What to expect after oral-conscious sedation will depend on what medication was prescribed. You will need someone to drive you home from our office and watch you for at least 2 – 4 hours while the medication wears off. A MINT dentistry team member or doctor will speak with you about possible side effects from the specific medication prescribed for you. The most common side effects are temporary dizziness, headaches, nausea, or vomiting. The risk of vomiting and nausea can be improved by taking the medication after a light meal and then eating a small snack when you get home. If you're worried about symptoms after a few hours, please don’t hesitate to contact MINT dentistry in Joliet, IL for further information.

If you have dental insurance, we will speak to your provider to clarify your benefits regarding sedation using oral-conscious medication. This will help us calculate your personal responsibility. For patients who don't have insurance, we will go over payment methods accepted by our office, including medical financing, for both sedation methods and your dental care. If you need help affording dental procedures and sedation, ask our Joliet, IL team about the MINT Discount Plan. The professionals at MINT dentistry are committed to helping you have a healthy, beautiful smile.

With the use of oral-conscious sedation dentistry, you no longer need to avoid appointments at the dentist due to anxiety or fear. Book an appointment with a board-certified dentist to hear more information about oral-conscious sedation and other options that can keep you relaxed during dental procedures. We will work with you to find the best options to make your visit to MINT dentistry in Joliet, IL a pleasant experience.