Sedation Dentistry – Lakewood, Dallas, TX
No More Fear at the Dentist
Does just the thought of visiting the dentist cause you to tense up? Have you avoided going for years due to a previous bad experience or fear that you’ll feel pain? Rather than just telling you to “calm down,” our team is ready to help soothe your concerns using sedation dentistry. From minor checkups to full-mouth reconstructions, we can tailor our approach based on your needs and comfort level so that by the time we’re finished with a procedure, your only thought will be, “That’s it?” To discuss how we could use sedation to make your next dental appointment stress free, contact us today to learn more about sedation dentistry in Lakewood, Dallas, TX.
Why Choose Dental Center of Lakewood for Sedation Dentistry?
- Sedation That Can be Fully Tailored for Each Patient
- We Listen to Our Patients & Take Their Concerns Seriously
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Relaxing with nitrous oxide is as easy as breathing—literally. The gas is mixed with oxygen and inhaled through a small nasal mask, and it creates feelings of warmth, happiness, and contentment. We can adjust the mix of nitrous oxide to oxygen as needed to ensure a comfortable experience. Once the appointment is over and the mask is removed, a patient will feel completely normal within a few minutes.
Learn More About Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry
We can prescribe you a pill to take on the day of your appointment that will make you deeply sedated before you step into our dental office. By the time you sit in the chair, any mental or physical discomfort will be prevented, allowing us to complete your treatment quickly and easily. You’ll remain awake the entire time and be able to respond to basic commands, but the appointment will seem to fly by, and you’ll likely have little (or no) memory of it afterward.
Learn More About Oral Conscious Sedation
IV Sedation
IV sedation is the most powerful form of sedation dentistry that we offer. With this method, we administer sedative medication directly into your bloodstream. It can quickly induce feelings of relaxation, and you might even drift off to sleep. In fact, this option is also known as “twilight sedation” or “sleep dentistry” because it is so effective (even though it does not technically cause unconsciousness). It is often a suitable option for patients with severe dental anxiety or other issues that would make treatment very challenging.
What Is IV Sedation?
IV sedation is administered directly into the bloodstream via a small needle inserted into your hand or arm. Within minutes, you should start to feel its effects. We can adjust your level of sedation as needed throughout your procedure so you remain comfortable and relaxed.
After IV sedation, you may feel very tired for several hours — perhaps even a full day. During that time, you should not drive or do anything else that poses a risk of injury. Once the sedation completely wears off, you might not have any memory of your dental procedure. Many patients like this mild amnesiac effect because the sights, sounds, and sensations of dentistry are unpleasant for them.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
You might be a good candidate for IV sedation if:
- You struggle with severe dental anxiety or fear.
- You have a highly sensitive gag reflex.
- You are not easily numbed by local anesthesia.
- You have a medical condition that makes it difficult for you to remain still for extended periods of time.
- You require particularly extensive or invasive dental procedures.
Our team will review your medical history to make sure you do not have any contraindications for IV sedation. For example, you should not be pregnant, should not have certain allergies, and should not have certain respiratory conditions.
The Benefits of IV Sedation
IV sedation offers some outstanding benefits, including:
- It can allow even the most anxious patients to undergo necessary treatments.
- We can adjust the sedation throughout your treatment, so you can be confident that you will remain comfortable and relaxed.
- When it is properly administered, IV sedation is quite low-risk.
- It can be a great option for individuals who dislike wearing masks or swallowing pills that are necessary for other types of sedation.
- It can allow us to perform multiple or complex procedures as efficiently as possible, so you can spend less time overall in our office.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Are you ready to experience no more fear at the dentist and get the oral health care you deserve? It’s natural to feel a bit anxious about sedation dentistry at first, but we want you to know that you have nothing to worry about. For your convenience, we’ve gathered some of the most common questions we get about this helpful service to put your mind at ease. If you don’t see the answers you’re looking for below, feel free to give us a call and we’ll be more than happy to help!
Is Sedation Dentistry a Good Choice for Me?
Sedation dentistry can be an excellent choice for a variety of patients who have unique needs or situations. We may recommend sedation if you:
- Deal with severe dental anxiety or phobia.
- Have sensitive teeth or overreactive gag reflex.
- Need to have complex or multiple procedures completed.
- Suffer from TMJ or have difficulty keeping your mouth open.
- Experience pain in your neck, back, or anywhere else when sitting in the same position for too long.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Even though sedation dentistry is designed to be a relaxing service, it can set some patients on edge. However, when administered by an experienced sedation dentist like Dr. Green, these treatments are a safe and effective solution. As a licensed anesthesiologist, she has taken advanced training in sedation dentistry. During your consultation, she’ll carefully review your medical history and discuss your concerns to ensure that sedation is a good choice for you. While sedated, you’ll be closely monitored all throughout your treatment to safeguard your health and comfort.
Which Type of Sedation Dentistry Do I Need?
At Dental Center of Lakewood, we offer three types of sedation at varying levels of strength:
- Nitrous oxide, the lightest form of sedation, is very useful for patients who need a little extra help to overcome their dental anxiety or feel physically comfortable in the examination chair.
- Oral conscious sedation can help patients achieve a deeper level of relaxation before they even reach the office. It’s typically recommended for patients with moderate dental anxiety or who are having several treatments completed at one time.
During your consultation, we’ll help you decide which method best suits your personal needs.
How Long Do the Effects of Sedation Dentistry Last?
Not only does nitrous oxide take effect within a few moments of breathing it in, but it wears off just as quickly. Once the mask is removed at the end of your treatment, you’ll return to your normal state of consciousness right away. On the other hand, sedation options like oral conscious sedation have longer recovery periods. For both, we encourage you to take it easy for the remainder of the day to ensure that the effects have fully worn off.
How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?
There isn’t a set fee for sedation dentistry. A variety of factors will influence the final price, such as type and amount of sedation needed. While every dental insurance policy is different, many will cover at least a portion of the cost. As we outline your treatment plan during your consultation, we’ll go over the details with you and provide a custom estimate.