Oral sedation is another common type of sedation dentistry. Oral sedatives are taken by mouth in pill form, and they work to help patients relax before and during dental procedures. Oral sedatives can cause drowsiness and may affect vision and speech, so patients using oral sedation should not drive themselves home after their appointment. It is best for a relative or friend to be available to drive the patient home after oral sedation treatment.
The duration of the effects of oral sedatives varies from medication to medication, but most last between four and six hours.
