Mature Male Smiling During Dental ExamReceiving sedation dentistry is a great option for those patients in Pasadena who have dental anxiety or are undergoing a large-scale procedure which would mandatorily necessitate sedation procedures to be used. One of the most common questions that our doctors receive is in regards to what kind of restrictions or stipulations, if any, are in place that need to be followed beforehand.

The short answer to this question is that, yes, there are several restrictions and procedures in place that must be followed before a patient can receive sedation dentistry. All of them are put in place for the safety of the patient, as our doctors would gladly be the first to tell someone, as that is always their primary concern.

So what kind of restrictions are in place before a person can receive sedation dentistry from one of our doctors?

A Patient Must Notify Our Doctors of Their Current Health Conditions

During our consultation screening before a patient can receive sedation dentistry in Pasadena, our doctors will ask them a series of very important questions, and they must, for their safety and well-being, answer all of them honestly.

One of the primary ones is in regard to any pre-existing health conditions from which they may already be suffering. If they are suffering from a major chronic condition, such as asthma or diabetes, it is absolutely vital this information is disclosed. Both of these conditions must be carefully monitored during any type of usage of sedation dentistry, as well as several others, so all of this information must be declared as soon as possible.

What Kinds of Dietary Restrictions are Involved with Sedation Dentistry?

In order to safely receive sedation dentistry in Pasadena, another thing that must be taken into account is the necessary dietary restrictions a patient must abide by in order to ensure their safety.

Up to six hours before the procedure is to take place, a patient must avoid drinking or eating anything that is not water. The reason for this is that the anesthesia could cause a person to potentially aspirate while they are under sedation, and it would not be good for the patient to begin coughing up food during the procedure. In addition, a patient is not allowed to consume caffeine on the day of the procedure at all, for any reason.

Though it is not technically a food, we will also make a note about smoking here as well. Because smoking restricts the flow of a patient’s blood vessels, it could make them more likely to bleed profusely during a procedure. As a result of this fact, a patient must quit smoking for six weeks before and six weeks after their procedure is complete. 

Is a Patient Allowed to Drive Themselves Home After a Procedure?

For both legal and practical safety reasons, a patient is, under no circumstances, allowed to drive themselves home after a procedure. They must have an adult who is legally licensed to drive take them both to and from the appointment.

For more information on sedation dentistry in Pasadena, please contact our doctors through either their website or by phone at (818) 208-5800.

« »