Sedation Dentistry

Dental anxiety affects an estimated 30 to 40 million people in the United States. If you are among the many who struggle with fear or anxiety when it comes time to visit the dentist, the office of Baymeadows Family Dentistry can help. Dedicated to the care and comfort of our patients, we offer safe and controlled sedation techniques to alleviate anxiety, making it easier and less stressful to maintain excellent oral health.

If you have dental anxiety or dental phobia, you may find yourself skipping checkups as well as avoiding getting the care you require. Letting fear get in the way of dental treatment can take a toll on your oral health as well as your overall well-being. To help anxious patients reap the benefits regular dental care, our practice offer options in dental sedation. By creating a deep sense of calm and relaxation, dental sedation allays any fears and apprehension associated with visits as well as with certain dental procedures.

Don’t let fear get in the way of maintaining a healthy, beautiful smile any longer!

As skilled and compassionate providers of care, we’ll explain the types of dental sedation that we offer in our office and answer all your questions throughout the course of treatment. In addition to helping you feel most at ease, sedation typically makes a lengthy procedure feel like it’s over in just a few minutes. Although you’ll feel completely while sedated, you’ll still being able to respond to verbal cues from our dentist. You just won’t feel bothered at all by the moment-to-moment details of treatment.  We’ll also let you know if the type of sedation you’re receiving requires someone accompany you home following treatment.

 At the office of Baymeadows Family Dentistry, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.

About dental sedation

Sedation dentistry offers individuals with general anxiety about going to the dentist or fears about a specific dental procedure the opportunity to have a stress free and more comfortable experience. By utilizing safe and controlled sedation techniques before a dental procedure, the patient is eased into a state of complete relaxation. This step eliminates any discomfort, pain, and preoperative anxiety that may be associated with a particular dental visit. With sedation dentistry, patients typically feel more at ease post-operatively as they have little or no memory of the actual moment-to-moment dental procedure.

At the office of Baymeadows Family Dentistry, we are committed to creating a comfortable and caring environment for our patients. While we always use a local anesthetic to thoroughly numb the treatment area, so that patients do not feel any discomfort, some individuals may feel they need an additional option to reduce their anxiety and have a more relaxed experience. For these patients who are apprehensive about dental work or a particular procedure, we’ll discuss safe and effective options in dental sedation. 

Reasons to consider dental sedation

While the reasons for choosing dental sedation can vary, some of the more common explanations include the following:

• Dental phobia - Sedation dentistry offers an excellent solution for patients in whom the fear of seeing the dentist is so disabling that they are otherwise willing to forego care.
• Anxiety about a particular procedure - Sedation dentistry offers patients who are anxious about a particular procedure, a more positive and stress-free treatment experience.
• Extensive dental work - When extensive dental work requires patients to sit in the chair with their mouths open for long visits, sedation dentistry can help ensure greater comfort while making time seem to pass more quickly. Sedation dentistry also offers patients who cannot make multiple trips for care, the option of getting more work done over fewer visits.
• Powerful gag reflex - For patients with a strong gag reflex, it can be as uncomfortable for the patient to tolerate care, as it is difficult for the dentist to provide it. With sedation, the patient is comfortable, more relaxed, and can tolerate treatment without gagging.
• Sensitive teeth and gums – Even if the work does not involve a particular tooth or area of the mouth, for patients with hypersensitive teeth and gums, getting dental treatment that involves instruments, suction, a water spray, and other stimuli can feel terribly uncomfortable. In these cases, dental sedation can help provide a much more comfortable treatment experience.
• Difficulty sitting for dental work – In addition to dental anxiety, it may be difficult for some young children or patients with disabilities, special needs, cognitive impairment, or certain medical conditions to sit still for dental care. Dental sedation enables the delivery of care to provide routine treatment and alleviate dental problems to maintain optimal oral health.

What are the options for dental sedation?

At the office of Baymeadows Family Dentistry, we provide skilled, experienced care that’s tailored to the individual needs of each patient. Our dental team strives to make every visit to our office a positive and informative experience. Depending on a patient’s specific needs and relevant medical history, we’ll discuss the most appropriate method of dental sedation and the services our office provides.

The difference between conscious sedation and general anesthesia

It’s essential to understand the difference between the methods of conscious sedation performed in a dental office and general anesthesia provided in a hospital setting. For most patients that choose or require dental sedation, conscious sedation will suffice.

With conscious sedation a patient experiences greater comfort and relaxation during a dental procedure while remaining aware of verbal commands and responsive to specific stimuli. Breathing is unassisted and cardiovascular function remains stable. General anesthesia, on the other hand, puts patients in a deep state of sleep where they are not responsive to stimuli. General anesthesia is reserved for patients who cannot tolerate the provision of care with any other form of sedation and is administered by an anesthesiologist in a hospital setting.

Conscious sedation in the dental office

Every patient is unique. The method of conscious sedation selected depends on a patient’s specific needs, relevant medical history, and the extent of dental work that’s required.

While all types of conscious sedation allow the patient to relax and feel comfortable during a dental procedure, the level of sedation differs depending on which of the following methods is employed.

• Oral Sedation

Oral Sedation offers a relaxed and comfortable experience with little to no anxiety. With this method, patients are given a prescription for an oral medication prior to their appointment. When taken at the recommended time before their visit, this medication allows patients to feel fully relaxed by the time their procedure begins. With oral sedation, a patient must have an escort on the day of the procedure to drive them to and from the dental office.

• IV Sedation

IV Sedation involves a sedative that is administered intravenously, or directly into a vein. It is indicated when deeper sedation is required. This type of sedation starts to work very quickly and can get readily modified to regulate the patient’s state of consciousness as well as continued for as long as the procedure requires.

IV Sedation requires an empty stomach. Patients receiving this type of sedation will be instructed as to how many hours prior to their surgical procedure they should stop eating or drinking. In addition to this, patients receiving IV sedation will need to have an escort present for the appointment and to be able to drive them home when the appointment is completed.

FAQs Sedation Dentistry

What is sedation dentistry? 

Sedation dentistry offers patients with general anxiety or fears about a dental procedure the opportunity to have a more comfortable and stress-free experience. By utilizing safe and controlled sedation techniques, the patient is eased into a state of complete relaxation before the procedure. This approach eliminates discomfort, pain, and preoperative anxiety, and typically makes patients feel more at ease post-operatively, as they have little or no memory of the actual moment-to-moment procedure.

What is the difference between local anesthesia and dental sedation?

Local anesthesia involves an injection directly into or close to the area where a procedure is being performed. While it eliminates any sensation of pain in the targeted area, it does not affect your state of mind or level of anxiety. When a patient receives sedation, additional medications to ease anxiety and promote relaxation are employed in advance of local anesthesia. In this way, both the stress and discomfort associated with a procedure are eliminated. Sedation can be administered in a variety of forms based upon patient needs and the recommendations of the dentist or dental anesthesiologist.

What are the different types of dental sedation?

Choosing the most appropriate method of sedation for a procedure depends on a variety of factors such as a patient’s medical history and their level of anxiety. Dental sedation can come in the form of nitrous oxide sedation, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation. Certain patients receiving comprehensive treatment or undergoing a complex surgical procedure may require general anesthesia in a hospital setting.

Am I a candidate for dental sedation?

It’s no secret that patients who feel at ease during dental visits are more likely to pursue the care they need. If you experience significant anxiety about trips to the dentist or a particular procedure, dental sedation offers a solution for keeping your smile in tip-top condition while experiencing a more relaxing and stress-free visit. At the office of Baymeadows Family Dentistry, we’re sensitive to the unique needs of our patients and dedicated to ensuring their comfort. Based on your level of anxiety, your medical history, and the dental treatment that’s required, we’ll explain your options in dental sedation and help you select the safest method that’s right for you.

Is dental sedation safe?

Sedation dentistry offers a safe and effective way to provide the dental care that’s required while reducing a patient’s anxiety and ensuring optimal comfort. Before a type of dental sedation gets recommended, all factors including a patient’s medical history, level of anxiety, dental needs, and other relevant factors are carefully reviewed. Every method of sedation is provided and supervised by a qualified, trained dentist or physician and administered in the appropriate setting.

Does dental insurance cover the cost of dental sedation?

Keep in mind, that it’s always wise to invest in your smile and prevent bigger and more costly problems down the road. While sedation dentistry is not typically covered by many insurance plans, it may be approved if a patient has a disability or medical condition that makes it impossible to otherwise receive care. General anesthesia might also be covered when it’s a medical necessity to perform care.

It’s always best to contact your insurance provider for clarification and an exact explanation of your dental benefits and coverage. At the office of Baymeadows Family Dentistry, our goal is to help patients get the care they need without additional stress or delay. We’re happy to answer all your financial questions and discuss all your options for getting the care you require.

Why choose the office of Baymeadows Family Dentistry?

At the office of Baymeadows Family Dentistry patient care and comfort are our top priorities. We take pride in offering a comprehensive range of advanced services while providing precise, gentle treatment and stress-free solutions for all of your dental healthcare needs. We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled, compassionate care. You can feel confident that your smile is in the best of hands with us. To learn more about our office or to schedule an appointment to begin care, give us a call today.