How Long Does Sedation Take at the Dentist?

Do you feel tense and anxious at the dentist? If so, you’re not alone. Many people experience anxiety while receiving dental work. The good news is sedation can help. With sedation, you can feel more relaxed at the dentist and undergo procedures you need but may have avoided in the past. It will make you feel at ease and get rid of any anxious feelings. When we recommend oral sedation or IV sedation to a patient here at Tryon Family Dentistry, they often wonder how long it will last. Keep reading to find out.

What Happens After Sedation?

If your procedure involves sedation, you can expect to be a bit loopy right after it. Fortunately, the anesthesia will likely wear off within a half hour. Once it does, you may feel a bit lightheaded for a few hours, depending on the amount of sedation used and the complexity of your procedure.

After 24 hours, you’ll likely be able to return to work and your daily responsibilities. If you’re a younger, healthy individual, you may find that you’re back to normal even sooner. Older patients with health problems usually take longer to recover.

What to Do After Sedation

There are several recommendations we will make after you undergo a procedure with sedation. First and foremost, you’ll need to find a spouse, family member, or friend to take you home once you’re done as operating a vehicle or heavy machinery immediately can be risky. This holds true, regardless of the type of sedation you received. Our Midlothian, VA dentist friends at River Run Dental Spa always encourage patients to plan ahead when it comes to sedation.

When it comes to cooking and meal preparation, you must be very careful. It’s a good idea to order takeout or have a loved one take care of your meals. This way you won’t burn yourself accidentally because you were too groggy to cook safely.

We’ll also ask that you avoid rigorous physical activity for at least 24 hours and wait for the full effects of the sedation to wear off. So if you like to workout, we suggest you stay away from the gym for a bit. Light stretching is fine.

In addition, make sure a trustworthy friend or family member knows about your procedure and is available to help you for a few hours while you’re still drowsy. Lastly, refrain from alcohol, smoking, and other drugs. Adding these things to your body before you are fully healed can do more harm than good. If you’re taking prescription medications, we’ll let you know what you should do in advance.

You probably won’t want to go anywhere after you receive sedation. Try to free up your schedule for at least 24 hours so you can relax with a cozy blanket and a good book or television show. The less stress you put on your body after your procedure, the faster you’ll heal and be back to normal.

Schedule an Appointment at Tryon Family Dentistry

If you have questions about sedation at Tryon Family Dentistry, we encourage you to schedule an appointment at our office. Call us at 919-249-6799 today! Our dental team can’t wait to meet you!

★★★★★
“Amazing office. The dentists here do great work. Replaced four of my front teeth with veneers and worked with me (for free) when the treatment plan didn’t go exactly as expected due to my chronic bruxism. They always explain what they’re doing, and why. I thoroughly trust this team with my dental care.”
- Jeff Wilson
★★★★★
“I just left this dentist office and I am so impressed. I was able to complete all my paperwork online so I did not have to arrive early and I had only a short wait time once there. While there I learned of tools that I could use at home and even saw what my smile would look like with Invisalign. I walked away with a good experience and my treatment plan. Friendly staff, extremely clean and I felt thoroughly taken care of. Thank you Tryon Family Dentistry”
- Dre Haskins
★★★★★
“I had neglected my dental care for over 20 years due to fear of the whole process. I took a leap of faith and went to this office and I am so glad I did. They understood my situation and moved forward without making me feel bad. It was an 8 month marathon of dental work. I had fillings, cleanings, wisdom teeth removed, an extraction and a wonderful implant put in. I was a hard patient to work with and the whole crew was nice to me every step of the way. Years from now when I still have my teeth I’ll have this place to thank. They fixed me up now and destroyed my fear of the dentist office for the future.”
- Jay P.
★★★★★
“First time there and I love it! Great place and friendly staff!”
- Tameka Brown
★★★★★
“I moved to Raleigh about one year ago due to work and decided to google a dental office near my apartment. I came upon Tryon Family Dentistry and because of the great reviews I decided to give it a shot. I’m so glad I went to this place because I LOVE it. Dr. Leo is great and is also very nice. Gloria usually does my teeth cleaning in which she is wonderful. She is nice, sweet and is always gentle. If you’re looking for a new dental office, give this place a chance and you will also come to love it!”
- Ger Vue
★★★★★
“I have been going to Tryon Family Denistry for the past six years and I absolutely love it. The staff are always friendly and courteous. They engage in conversation so as to take your mind off what they are doing. Dr. Leo is awesome as well and has great beside manners. If you are looking for a great dentist office then look no further.”
- Kiawana Fulford
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