Are you the type of person who feels a little nervous whenever a dental appointment is coming up? Maybe even terrified? If so, then you’re far from alone. At Advanced Dental Care of Allen, we’re able to successfully treat nervous patients every day thanks to sedation dentistry. With the safe and proven techniques detailed below, we can help even the most anxious person breathe easy and relax in our office. If fear has kept you from getting the dental care you need, sedation could help you finally remove that barrier to your ideal smile. To learn more about your sedation options, contact us today.
If you experience mild to moderate dental phobia, Dr. Kar can prescribe you a sedative pill to take about an hour before your scheduled appointment. This way, by the time you reach our office, you’ll already be very mentally and physically relaxed. People under oral conscious sedation remain awake throughout their appointment, but time will seem to fly by very quickly, and they likely will have little to no memory of their visit afterward (which is perfect for some patients).
If you or your child just need something to “take the edge” off of dental nerves, nothing does it better than nitrous oxide, which is better known as laughing gas. All a patient has to do is breathe in the colorless, odorless gas through a small nasal mask, and within moments, they will start to feel warm, calm, and content. Once the appointment is over and the mask is removed, the gas’s effects wear off almost instantly, enabling a patient to go straight back to their day without interruption.
For patients with severe dental phobia, those who need extensive dental work, or those who have problems sitting still for an entire dental appointment, IV sedation is often the solution they need. With this method, a powerful sedative is administered directly into the bloodstream, quickly sending a patient into an extremely deep state of relaxation. Even better, this approach allows Dr. Kar to adjust a patient’s sedation level in real time throughout their visit, ensuring they are comfortable each and every moment.
IV sedation involves the use of a sedative that is administered directly into the bloodstream, usually through a small needle inserted into a patient’s hand or arm. This method allows the medication to kick in very quickly, and it allows Dr. Kar to control the level of sedation throughout your procedure.
IV sedation induces a deep feeling of relaxation. It is sometimes referred to as “twilight” sedation because, while it does not cause unconsciousness, it often causes patients not to remember their procedure. They may feel as if they were asleep during their appointment.
Due to the powerful effects of IV sedation, you should have a trusted adult ready to drive you home after your procedure.
IV sedation may be suitable for you if:
IV sedation offers a number of noteworthy benefits:
Sedation dentistry has already helped countless patients to conquer their dental fears — and it may be able to help you as well. However, before you contact us to request your next appointment, you might want to know more about sedation and how it works. That’s why we have compiled the following list of FAQs. If you don’t see the information you were hoping for, please reach out to us directly so we can personally answer any additional questions you may have.
For most patients, sedation dentistry is safe — and that is especially true when it is administered by an experienced, skilled dentist like Dr. Kar. Before approving you for sedation, Dr. Kar will get to know about your overall health and make a well-informed determination of whether sedation poses any significant risks to you. Certain conditions, such as pregnancy, may affect your candidacy for sedation.
The cost of sedation depends on a few factors, including the type of sedation used and how long you will be sedated. During your consultation, the cost of sedation will be included in your price estimate for treatment. Dental insurance does not usually cover sedation, but financing is available for patients who want to break up the total cost of their treatment, including sedation.
After you have been sedated with nitrous oxide, you will be alert enough to drive yourself home. However, if you undergo oral conscious sedation or IV sedation, you must have someone available to drive you to and from your appointment. You should not drive or engage in any other potentially dangerous activities until the medication has worn off completely. That may take at least 24 hours.
Side effects are usually mild and can vary depending on which type of sedation you undergo. You might experience things like headaches, drowsiness, and dry mouth. These usually wear off quickly. Severe side effects are rare, but if you have any concerns about your reaction to sedation after you leave our office, please contact us immediately.
Sedation is suitable for most types of dental treatment, including routine services. Simply let us know that you wish to be sedated, and our team will take your request into account when we are preparing to work on your smile. Remember, there is no shame in asking for sedation dentistry. Your sedation dentist’s aim is to make you feel as comfortable as possible!