Sedation Dentistry – Spring Hill, TN
Enjoy Anxiety-Free Visits with Sedation Dentistry in Spring Hill
It’s no secret to us that millions of people have some type of dental fear or anxiety, and this often prevents them from seeking out the care that they need. We feel for these patients, which is why we offer sedation dentistry at Family Dental Associates of Spring Hill. These techniques allow us to calm nervous minds, protect you from pain, and make it just that much easier for you to take care of your teeth. It’s also useful for patients who are short on time who want to get multiple treatments completed in one visit. Regardless, sedation dentistry enables us to help more people than ever before. If you’re nervous about visiting the dentist, don’t worry, we can help you! Simply contact our office today and ask about sedation.
Why Choose Family Dental Associates of Spring Hill for Sedation Dentistry?
- Dentist Certified in Oral Sedation
- Team That Always Takes Their Time with You
- Warm, Relaxing Dental Office
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
If you suffer from dental fear or anxiety that is so powerful it causes you to cancel or skip even routine dental appointments, you may benefit from oral conscious sedation. This method of sedation dentistry uses a prescription sedative (usually in pill form) to help create a feeling of calm and relaxation during dental treatment. If you’d like to learn more about how oral conscious sedation could help make your next dental appointment a lot more comfortable, keep reading.
What is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is a form of sedation dentistry that achieves its results with the help of a prescribed oral sedative, usually in pill form. There are many benefits to oral conscious sedation, especially the fact that it does not require the use of needles or a face mask.
Oral conscious sedation is an excellent option for adults who suffer from nervousness, anxiety, fear, a strong gag reflex, or anything else that makes them uncomfortable in the dental chair.
To get oral conscious sedation, Dr. Allen will prescribe you one small pill to take upon arrival at Family Dental Associates of Spring Hill, or just prior to your appointment. Typically, this will be Valium, Ativan, or Halcion.
The effects of these pills are long-lasting, and will typically take effect within about 15 minutes, depending on the medication used.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
The effects of oral conscious sedation will linger throughout your entire dental treatment, so it’s important to have a trusted friend or family member bring you to and from your appointment.
Once the effects begin, you can expect to feel deeply relaxed and calm. Many patients are unable to remember their appointment after their medication has worn off, which can be a benefit for some.
While under sedation, our team will continue to monitor you throughout your entire treatment to ensure your safety.
You will still be conscious and able to respond to instructions, but you will remain in a relaxed state.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is an excellent option for patients who:
- Suffer from dental fear, anxiety, or nervousness.
- Regularly reschedule or cancel dental appointments out of fear of receiving bad news.
- Have a sensitive gag reflex.
- Are undergoing multiple treatments or one longer treatment in one appointment.
- Struggle to keep your mouth open or sit still in the dental chair.
- Have trouble getting numb with local anesthesia.
- Have had bad experiences at the dentist in the past.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
If you’re only a little nervous about your upcoming dental visit, nitrous oxide sedation is probably perfect for you. If you’re wondering why you haven’t heard of it before, it’s likely because it’s often referred to as “laughing gas.” The good news is that this calming solution is suitable for patients of all ages. So, if you think you’d benefit from having it added to your treatment plan, don’t hesitate to let us know! In the meantime, you can read on to learn more about it, including how it works.
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
We mentioned above that nitrous oxide is a great option for patients who struggle with mild dental-related anxiety. It’s also helpful for patients who:
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Experience head/neck/jaw pain
- Need extensive dental work
- Have a fear of needles
With all of that said, there are some patients who are not candidates. For example, if you have asthma or another health condition that makes it difficult for you to breathe in through your nose, then nitrous oxide is not a suitable solution. That’s why it’s so important for us to review your medical history beforehand.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
After you arrive at our office and settle into the treatment chair, we’ll put a small, comfortable nasal mask in position. Then, we’ll switch on the nitrous oxide and ask you to breathe in through your nose. After a few minutes of inhaling the colorless, odorless gas, you’ll feel a warm, comforting sensation. Any anxiety you were feeling will melt away, allowing you to relax comfortably while we provide the dental care you need.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
One of the many perks of nitrous oxide is that the effects both set in and dissipate quickly. So, you won’t have to deal with lingering side effects, like grogginess. As a result, you’ll be able to drive yourself home and go on with your day normally right afterward. Just make sure to follow any aftercare instructions we provide you with pertaining to the care you received, like not eating anything until the numbing agent wears off.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
How long does it take to recover after sedation dentistry?
Recovery time after sedation dentistry depends on what type of sedation you receive. Nitrous oxide typically wears off within a few minutes after our team removes the face mask. On the other hand, the effects of oral conscious sedation can last up to eight hours, which is why we instruct that patients take the rest of the day off of work and go home to rest.
Does dental sedation put you to sleep?
Although nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation can make some patients feel groggy and sleepy during their procedure, these sedation methods don’t actually put you to sleep. The side-effects of these medications can include patchy memory as well, which can also make it feel like you were asleep during your treatment. For some patients, like those with high anxiety, this is a great side-effect!
Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?
Nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation don’t eliminate your body’s ability to register pain; however, it can suppress it. For procedures that could cause discomfort, our team will administer a local anesthetic to the area of the mouth that we’re operating on before we begin to numb it. This will make sure you remain completely comfortable as well as relaxed during your treatment.
Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance?
Most dental insurance plans don’t cover dental sedation. However, each plan’s coverage differs and there are certain situations in which it’s considered medically necessary, in which case they would have to cover it, like for patients with disabilities. Another situation in which dental sedation in Spring Hill may be covered is for complex procedures, like multiple tooth extractions.
In any case, our team at Family Dental Associates of Spring Hill will help file claims on your behalf to maximize your benefits to the best of our abilities. We’re also in-network with multiple major PPO plans, which can also increase your savings.
Is sedation dentistry safe while pregnant?
It’s possible that the medications used during dental sedation can pass through the placenta into the fetus, which is why our team doesn’t advise receiving this service while pregnant. Using sedation medications within the first trimester can also lead to developmental problems, and during the third trimester, could encourage premature labor. Our team will consult and discuss your options with you if you’re pregnant and in need of dental sedation, making sure you remain comfortable and relaxed without putting yourself or your baby at risk.