When you are getting dental work done, it is common to feel anxious. This is why many dentists offer dental sedation to their patients. Sedation can help you relax and just generally make the experience less stressful. But are you going to be back to normal immediately after your procedure? How long does dental sedation take to wear off? In this blog post, we will discuss the different types of dental sedation and how long the effects typically last.
What Are the Different Types of Dental Sedation?
Dental sedation comes in different levels, from light to deep. The type of dental sedation you receive will play a role in how long it takes for the effects to wear off. Here is a brief overview of the different types of dental sedation:
- Nitrous oxide: Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a gas that you breathe in through a mask. It can make you feel lightheaded and giddy.
- Oral sedation: Oral sedation involves taking a pill before your procedure. The pill will make you drowsy and relaxed.
- IV sedation: IV sedation is administered through an IV in your arm. It will make you unconscious and you will not remember the procedure.
As you can see, the different types of dental sedation can range from making you feel slightly more relaxed to putting you into a deep sleep. Therefore, the level of sedation you receive will largely determine how long the effects last and how you will feel afterwards.
How Long Does Dental Sedation Take To Wear Off?
The answer to this question can vary depending on two factors: the type of dental sedation you receive, and your individual physiology. Let’s take a closer look at each of these below.
Type of Dental Sedation
Indeed, the type of dental sedation you receive will play a role in how long it takes for the effects to wear off. For example, if you receive nitrous oxide, the effects will wear off almost immediately after you stop inhaling the gas. On the other hand, if you receive oral sedation, it may take a few hours for the effects to wear off completely. And finally, if you receive IV sedation, it may take up to 24 hours before it’s out of your system.
Individual Physiology
In addition to the type of dental sedation you receive, your individual physiology can also play a role in how long it takes for the effects to wear off. For example, some people metabolize drugs more quickly than others. This means that the effects of the dental sedation will wear off more quickly for these individuals.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, there are a few factors that play a role in how long it takes for dental sedation to wear off. In general, though, the deeper the sedation, the longer it will take to recover. So, if you’re undergoing something like IV sedation for your next dental procedure, you may not want to schedule a business meeting after!
Do you require sedation for a dental procedure? Contact Shelburne Village Dental today to see how we can help!
