For some patients, even the mention of a dental appointment with their Calgary dentist can cause fear, anxiety and hesitation about obtaining required or desired dental treatment. Fortunately, for most patients, sedation dentistry is an option that can help to alleviate this fear and anxiety. Because sedation dentistry, both IV sedation and oral sedation, involves the use of medication to help to induce a relaxed state in the patient, proper preparation for the sedation dentistry appointment is critical both for the success of the sedation and its safety.
Our Calgary dentist reviews some of the highlights of our protocol for the preparation of your sedation dentistry appointment at our dental office. Please note that the following is for information purposes only and is not and is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all instructions for your sedation dentistry appointment. Please ensure that you follow all of the instructions provided to you by Dr. Dirk Thompson or your own Calgary dentist.
BEFORE YOUR SEDATION DENTISTRY APPOINTMENT
If you are interested in a sedation dentistry appointment with our Calgary dentist, we invite you to make a consultation appointment. At this consultation appointment, Dr. Dirk Thompson, our Calgary dentist, will review with you what is involved with sedation dentistry, whether it be oral sedation or IV sedation dentistry. At our Calgary dental office, IV sedation is performed by a visiting dentist who is duly qualified to administer IV sedation dentistry. Some of the items reviewed at your consultation appointment will include the following:
- your medical and medication history to determine if you are a candidate for sedation dentistry
- whether oral sedation or IV sedation is the preferred or recommended type of sedation for you
- the risks and benefits of sedation dentistry
- how to prepare for your sedation dentistry appointment
- what to expect during your sedation dentistry appointment
- what to expect after your sedation dentistry appointment
At your consultation appointment, our Calgary dentist encourages you to ask as many questions as you may have to ensure you are comfortable with the procedure and confident that you have made the right decision for you, considering your expectations for sedation dentistry, any previous experiences with sedation dentistry, your medical and dental health and your overall dental health goals.
CAN I HAVE SEDATION DENTISTRY IF I AM PREGNANT?
At the office of Dr. Dirk Thompson (Advance Your Health Dental), for the safety of both you and your baby, our Calgary dentist does not administer any sedation medication to anyone who is pregnant or who thinks that they may be pregnant. It is therefore imperative that, if you are pregnant or think you may be pregnant, you advise our Calgary dentist so that your sedation dentistry appointment is postponed until after you have had your baby. If you are breastfeeding your baby, you should also advise our Calgary dentist so that instructions for pumping and discarding your breastmilk can be provided.
HOW WILL I KNOW HOW TO PREPARE FOR MY SEDATION DENTISTRY APPOINTMENT?
Prior to your sedation dentistry appointment, our Calgary dentist will provide you with written instructions which outlines specific fasting, dietary and other requirements for your sedation dentistry appointment. For both your safety and comfort during your sedation dentistry appointment, it is imperative that you follow these sedation dentistry instructions that are given to you by our Calgary dentist or your own dentist.
DO I HAVE TO FAST PRIOR TO MY SEDATION DENTISTRY APPOINTMENT?
Yes, you must fast prior to your sedation dentistry appointment. This is an important preparation step for your sedation dentistry appointment. If you do not follow the fasting requirements provided to you, for your safety our Calgary dentist will have to reschedule your sedation dentistry appointment. Our Calgary dentist follows the recommended fasting requirements provided by the Alberta Dental Association & College. If you are provided with different fasting instructions from your dentist, you should follow the instructions provided to you. The instructions recommended by the Alberta Dental Association &College are as follows:
MINIMUM FASTING PERIODS:
8 hours – Heavy meal (ie meat, fried or fatty foods)
6 hours – Light meal (easy-digested carbohydrate, low protein, low fat_ (ie toast and a clear fluid, noodles in a clear broth)
2 hours – After ingestion of clear fluids (ie water, fruit juice without pulp, black coffee)
ARE THERE ANY OTHER DIETARY INSTRUCTIONS PRIOR TO THE SEDATION DENTISTRY APPOINTMENT?
In the sedation dentistry instructions provided to you by our Calgary dentist, you will also be advised to refrain from consuming alcohol, narcotics, sedatives, or recreational/illicit or over-the-counter drugs for a certain amount of time prior to your sedation dentistry appointment as these substances may affect the way the sedation medication works. If you ordinarily take any prescription medications, you should always discuss with your Calgary dentist and/or your physician whether you should continue to take them prior to your sedation dentistry appointment. You should never discontinue any prescription medication without first checking with your physician and/or your Calgary dentist.
Prior to your sedation dentistry appointment, it is also recommended that you refrain from taking any aspirin-containing medications, such as 292s or 222s or Anacin, or anti-inflammatory medications such as Advil, Ibuprofen or Motrin, or any herbs (such as herbal teas or supplements), grapefruit or grapefruit juice, as these medications may affect your body’s ability to clot and/or affect the way the sedation medication works. Always speak with your Calgary dentist regarding the length of time it is recommended that you refrain from taking these types of medications. The length of time may depend upon your medical history, your medication history and the type of dental treatment you are undergoing, particularly teeth extractions or dental implants.
ARE THERE ANY OTHER REQUIREMENTS?
In addition to fasting and other dietary requirements, our Calgary dentist also asks that, on the day of your sedation dentistry appointment, you wear loose fitting clothing and short sleeves, that you wear a minimum of make-up, avoid high heels and remove any nail polish, artificial nails and earrings. Our Calgary dentist also asks that you remove all tongue/lip studs and do not wear any cologne, perfume or contact lenses.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT WHEN I ARRIVE AT MY SEDATION DENTISTRY APPOINTMENT?
Upon arrival at our Calgary dentist office on the day of your sedation appointment, you will be escorted to our sedation dentistry dental suite by one of our dental team members. After reviewing and signing our sedation dentistry consent form, our Calgary dentist will again review with you certain pertinent information, including your current medical and medication status, your past medical and medication history, your medication history, and ensure that any last minute questions are answered to your complete satisfaction.
Once our team members help you to get comfortable in our massage chair and warmed up with a cozy blanket, our Calgary dentist will administer the oral sedation medication (or a visiting dentist will commence the IV sedation). Once adequate sedation has been achieved, your dental procedure will commence.
If you are interested to know whether sedation dentistry is an option for you, we invite you to call our Calgary dental office at 403.283.4252. Our Calgary dentist always welcomes any questions you may have about sedation dentistry and any other type of dentistry our office offers, including general dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, dental implants and dental cleanings. Call us today. We’re here for you.
This blog post written by our Calgary dentist, Dr. Dirk Thompson, D.D.S., is for informational purposes only. It is not to be taken or used as a substitute for dental, medical or other professional advice, treatment or diagnosis. Always ask your dentist, physician or other healthcare professional for advice before altering your diet or healthcare routine. Individual patient needs and oral healthcare concerns vary so please consult your dentist for more information about your specific dental health requirements.
Copyright 2021: Dirk A. Thompson Professional Corporation operating as Advance Your Health Dental. Dr. Dirk A. Thompson, D.D.S., is a general dentist in Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
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