How Sedation Dentistry Works

If fear of going to the dentist is holding you back from getting your teeth cleaned or getting a filling, you don’t have forgo another appointment.

 

Sedation dentistry is an option for people who want to look forward to a relaxing, anxiety-free dentist visit and get the general and cosmetic dental services they need. The Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS Education) works with hundreds of dental offices around the United States to offer safe, comfortable and stress-free dental care. Here’s a close look at how sedation dentistry works, and how you may benefit from this alternative to standard dental treatments:

It’s important to remember that sedation dentistry is different from the use of anesthetic injections that are commonly used in standard dental procedures. Sedation dentistry involves oral sedation with medication, which means you will start to relax shortly after taking a pill. This no-needle approach is appealing to many people who are also afraid of needles, and those who do not react well to local anesthesia or numbing gels.

 

As a sedation dentistry patient, you will be given a pill about an hour before your appointment so that you arrive to the appointment fairly drowsy. The dentist will check your vital signs, and by this time, you will likely fall fast asleep. You will feel as though you have fallen asleep for only a few minutes, but most people remain drowsy for a few hours. The dentist will complete the treatment, and you will be aware when the treatment is over. The dentist may prescribe painkillers and/or antibiotics as part of the post-treatment care plan, and you may be required to return in a few days for a follow up consultation.

 

You will feel fairly relaxed throughout the treatment process, and you do stay awake the entire time. However, you may feel exceptionally drowsy during certain parts of the procedure and think that you have fallen asleep.

Sedation dentistry offers a number of benefits for people who are anxious about visiting the dentist, or those that have put off dental visits because of stress. Some of the key benefits of sedation dentistry include:

 

Sedation dentistry is designed to address the fear of going to the dentist so that you can receive the recommended routine care. While most insurance companies do not pay for sedation, you may be able to obtain financing or pay a discounted rate for the service through your local dentist.

 

If you are interested in sedation dentistry, contact a general dentist in your area to review your options. He or she will be able to recommend a treatment plan, explain all of the benefits of sedation dentistry, and determine whether you are a good candidate for this type of treatment.