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Sedation Dentistry – North Andover, MA

Sit Back and Relax

Patient relaxing after sedation dentistry visit

Are you afraid when you walk into a dental office? There’s nothing wrong with that; most people feel some form of anxiety when it comes to dental care, and dental phobias are fairly common. Dr. Beliveau has plenty of experience dealing with such patients and will make accommodations to help you feel as comfortable as possible – which naturally includes offering sedation for various procedures. Be sure to ask about our approach to sedation dentistry in our North Andover, MA dental officewhen you call to schedule an appointment.

Why Choose E. Charles Beliveau, DDS for Sedation Dentistry?

  • A Gentle, Experienced Dentist
  • High Standard of Optimal Care
  • A Relaxing Dental Office Environment

Oral Conscious Sedation

Man holding oral conscious dental sedation pill

Before your appointment, we can provide you with a pill along with some instructions. You should take the pill at a designated time – shortly before your procedure is set to begin. It should start to kick in by the time you get to our dental office, so it is important that you have someone else drive you. The effects will put you in an extremely relaxed state where you will not experience any discomfort during the procedure. In fact, you may not remember the treatment at all.

What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?

Man placing sedative pill on his tongue

Oral conscious sedation features the use of a powerful sedative in pill form. Some medications that may be used include Valium, Ativan, and Halcion. All you have to do is swallow the pill shortly before your procedure is set to begin — no needles or masks are needed! The effects usually start to kick in within 15 minutes or so, and they may linger for several hours after your procedure. You can expect to feel calm and relaxed throughout that time.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

Reclined dental patient with closed eyes

Here are some notes on what to expect during your oral conscious sedation experience:

  • Oral conscious sedation can make it unsafe for you to operate a vehicle, so you should have a trusted adult ready to drive you to and from your appointment.
  • Sedation can make you feel relaxed and calm; you might even drift off to sleep, but you will not be unconscious.
  • You may not remember your procedure after the sedative wears off.
  • We will carefully monitor you throughout your appointment to ensure your safety.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

Happy, smiling dental patient in treatment chair

You may be a good candidate for oral conscious sedation if:

  • You struggle with moderate to severe anxiety surrounding dental treatments.
  • You have a strong gag reflex.
  • You have medical conditions that make it difficult for you to sit still for a long period of time.
  • You are not easily numbed by local anesthesia.
  • You have undergone traumatic dental care experiences in the past.
  • You want to undergo multiple or complex procedures in the most efficient way possible.