Going to the dentist can be a nerve-wracking experience for patients of all ages, and at Advanced Smile Design, we’re always ready to bend over backward for patients, so they can feel comfortable from check-in to checkout. For our especially anxious patients, we’re happy to offer them sedation dentistry to guarantee a relaxing experience. These techniques can calm a racing mind as well as prevent a patient from feeling any pain no matter what kind of procedure they need. If you think sedation would be a big help at you or your child’s next appointment, give us a call today.
Nitrous oxide goes by a more well-known name—laughing gas! It’s excellent for helping patients who just need to “take the edge off” of their dental nerves, and it’s gentle enough that we can even use it with small children. A patient simply inhales the gas mixed with oxygen through a small nasal mask, and within moments, they should feel warm and calm from head to toe. We can adjust the amount of nitrous oxide a patient receives throughout their appointment as needed. Once the mask comes off, the gas’ effects wear off almost instantly, meaning a patient can quickly resume their day as normal.
For patients with more severe dental phobia, our dentists can prescribe them a pill to take the day of their appointment that will help them feel completely relaxed by the time they reach our dental office. We often use this method when a patient needs an extensive procedure as well. In the chair, the patient will remain awake and be able to respond to basic commands, but the entire visit will seem to fly by in a blur for them. Many have little to no memory of their visit afterward, making the entire appointment seem like a dream.
When meeting with your sedation dentist in Willow Grove, you can expect them to discuss how long you can expect the nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation to last after your appointment. Nitrous oxide remains the mildest form of treatment, and its effects are almost immediate because of how fast you begin to feel comfortable in the chair. It is also popular because of how quickly you can resume normal activities after your procedure is complete.
Oral conscious sedation requires that you take a pill before your appointment to allow the medication to start working. It can take some time before you begin to feel more relaxed, and you’ll need someone to drive you home after your visit. You’ll be too groggy from the anesthesia and sedation to drive safely.
Most dentists will recommend that you wait until after your baby is born before receiving sedation. During the first trimester, developmental issues can occur if the medication passes through the placenta. If you wait until the third trimester, sedation can lead to preterm birth, low birth weight, and other potential problems.
The safest time to receive sedation is during the second trimester, but even then, the mildest form – nitrous oxide – is the only one recommended.
You’ll be unlikely to remember anything with dental sedation, as it tends to produce a temporary form of amnesia. This makes oral hygiene appointments more bearable for patients who are fearful of visiting the dentist’s office. With the realization that you will not remember much of your visit (if any at all), you can agree to move forward with treatment with greater confidence than before. This will help improve your overall health now and in the future.
Unfortunately, most dental insurance companies will not cover the cost of sedation dentistry. Many view it as a luxury form of treatment that is also unnecessary. There are a few instances where insurers will agree to partially cover the cost, but only if:
Even if your dental insurance will not cover sedation, there are other ways to help manage your out-of-pocket expenses. At Advanced Smile Design, we also partner with third-party financers CareCredit and Sunbit. We also have an in-house savings plan that makes it easy to pay one low annual fee each year for access to preventive services and discounts on all other restorative and cosmetic solutions.
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