Sedation Dentistry Guide: Types, Benefits & What to Expect

If you struggle to feel at ease in the dentist's chair, you're not alone. Feeling anxious, afraid, or worried at the dentist's office is quite common. Different people experience different degrees of dental anxiety, ranging from mild uneasiness to more extreme dentophobia. Regardless of these feelings, dental care is vital to your health and well-being, and sedation can help you feel more relaxed to access the care you need. 

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is a branch of dentistry that uses various forms of sedation to help patients feel calm and relaxed before, during, and after their dental appointments.

Sedation dentistry primarily uses pharmaceutical sedatives to relax patients, and these are often also combined with holistic approaches to relaxation, such as aromatherapy, noise-canceling headphones, eye masks, weighted blankets, and more. 

Who Can Benefit from Sedation Dentistry?

If dental visits make you feel anxious or uncomfortable, sedation dentistry can help you relax and receive the care you need. Many patients benefit from dental sedation, including those who:

• Struggle with dental anxiety or dentophobia (fear of the dentist).
• Have sensory processing issues that make dental treatment overwhelming.
• Experience cognitive, behavioral, or physical challenges that make sitting still difficult.
• Fear needles or injections.
• Need a lengthy, complex, or invasive dental procedure.
• Have a strong gag reflex that makes treatment uncomfortable.
• Suffer from extremely sensitive teeth.
• Have difficulty getting numb with local anesthetics.
• Experience involuntary movements that interfere with dental work.

If any of these challenges sound familiar, sedation dentistry may be the solution for a more comfortable dental experience.

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Different Types Of Dental Sedation

Sedation dentistry involves using sedatives to help patients feel calm during dental treatments. At Seva Dental, we offer:

• Nitrous Oxide Sedation: Commonly known as "laughing gas," nitrous oxide is inhaled through a mask, inducing relaxation and a mild sense of euphoria. Patients remain awake and can communicate during the procedure. The effects wear off quickly, allowing you to resume normal activities shortly after your visit.
  
  
• Moderate Oral and IV Sedation: For those with higher levels of anxiety or undergoing more extensive procedures, we provide moderate sedation through oral medications or intravenous (IV) administration. These methods help you enter a state of deep relaxation, often referred to as "twilight sleep," where you're conscious but may not remember much of the procedure.

Which Type of Dental Sedation Is Right for You?

Every patient is unique, and so is each dental sedation recommendation. The type of sedation dentistry most appropriate for each patient depends on their specific needs, health, and medical history.

• Light Sedation - Sedation with nitrous oxide is typically recommended for patients who mostly feel calm at the dentist but need help relaxing during a lengthier appointment. For example, nitrous oxide is often administered to treat dental caries. 
• Moderate Sedation - Oral conscious sedation is usually recommended for patients who struggle with dental anxiety and dental phobias. It is also recommended for patients who are undergoing more lengthy, complex, and invasive procedures. 

Dr. Somaiya can talk with you about your concerns and your upcoming dental procedures to help you determine the type of dental sedation that is right for you. 

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

Yes, sedation dentistry is safe. Seva Dental follows specific treatment protocols and strict safety standards with respect to dental sedation. We consider our patients' complete medical histories, current health, current medications and supplements, age, height, and weight when recommending, prescribing, and administering sedative medications to ensure safety and good health at all times. 

Of course, all types of medications come with potential risks and side effects. These complications, however, are rare, and our team takes the utmost precautions and care in our sedation dentistry practice to ensure the safety of each of our patients. 

How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?

The cost of sedation dentistry varies depending on the type of sedation, the sedative used, the dosage administered, and your insurance policy. Coverage may vary depending on your insurance plan and the specific reason for needing dental sedation.  

Before deciding whether sedation dentistry is right for you, our office team can provide a detailed cost estimate and help you navigate your insurance benefits to determine what level of coverage you can expect.  

At Seva Dental, we believe quality dental care should be accessible and affordable. That’s why we offer flexible payment options, including a convenient in-house Membership Plan for patients without insurance. Our membership plan provides discounts on various treatments, including preventive and restorative care, making it easier to care for your dental health without financial stress. Additionally, we offer a customizable Payment Plan to help spread the cost of treatments over time so you can receive the care you need without delay.  

Stress-Free Dental Care with Experienced Sedation Dentist in Bellbrook, OH

At Seva Dental, we're committed to helping our patients optimize their oral health with access to comprehensive dental care while also ensuring they have positive treatment experiences in our dental office. We're experienced, highly trained, and fully equipped to provide patients with dental sedation for light and moderate sedation.

To learn about sedation and its benefits, contact our office for a consultation with our sedation dentist in Bellbrook, Ohio.

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