Sedation Dentistry – Prestonsburg, KY
Put Your Fears to Rest
Millions of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of fear or anxiety, and over time, it’s their dental health that pays the price. At Brookside Dental Care, Dr. Griffith, Dr. Hartgrove, and our team are able to successfully treat fearful patients every day, thanks to sedation dentistry. This allows patients to be relaxed, totally comfortable, and have little to no memory of the visit. Whether patients are mildly anxious or complete dental phobics, sedation dentistry can help.
Would you like to put your fears to rest? Get in touch with our Prestonsburg team today!
Oral Conscious Sedation
Our practice favors the use of oral conscious sedation. All you have to do is swallow a pill shortly before your treatment is set to begin. The medication gets to work quickly; it produces a feeling of calmness and relaxation. You may even feel somewhat drowsy, though you will not become unconscious.
You can expect to feel little to nothing while our team is treating your smile. After the sedation wears off, you may not recall what happened during your appointment. Patients who have undergone traumatic oral care experiences in the past love that sedation can almost make it seem like they didn’t visit the dentist at all (well, aside from their improved oral health).
Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry can be a huge help for patients who:
- Need help to relax during dental appointments.
- Experience severe anxiety when it comes to visiting the dentist.
- Have a very sensitive gag reflex that makes receiving routine dental care difficult.
- Need an extensive amount of dental treatment.
- Have a difficult time getting numb or staying numb.
- Want to complete most or all of your treatment in a single visit to save time.
- Find it difficult or uncomfortable to sit still for an extended period of time.
When you visit us for your consultation, we will do a thorough screening to make sure that you do not have any medical considerations that would make it risky for you to be sedated. The vast majority of patients who want to be sedated can take advantage of this wonderful provision!
Benefits of Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation offers a number of outstanding benefits:
- It does not involve the use of needles or uncomfortable nasal masks.
- It is powerful enough to help even patients who struggle with extreme anxiety.
- It is very safe for most patients. Dr. Griffith and our practice have never seen a bad outcome from oral conscious sedation!
- It can allow you to receive top-quality dental care with as little discomfort as possible.
- By enabling you to undergo treatment in a timely manner, it can prevent dental problems from worsening and thereby help you save money in the long run.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Our skilled team is ready to help you breeze through your next dental appointment thanks to oral conscious sedation. Before you come to visit us, though, you may want more information about sedation and what to expect from it. Below, you will find the answers to some FAQs about this service. If your specific questions are not discussed here, please reach out to us directly. We will be happy to speak with you!
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
For most patients, sedation dentistry is perfectly safe. To make sure the risk is as low as possible, our team will thoroughly screen you for any contraindications for sedation. If it looks like sedation might not be right for you, we will explore other options for making your dental care experience as easy as possible.
Dr. Griffith has helped countless patients to benefit from oral conscious sedation. He has an outstanding track record of safely using this provision.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe While Pregnant?
The medications used in oral conscious sedation may pass through the placenta and affect a developing embryo or fetus. That is why we try to postpone treatment if possible until after birth. If your situation is urgent, we will do what we can to make you comfortable without posing any unacceptable risks to your baby.
Will I Remember Anything with Dental Sedation?
Even though you will technically be conscious while under the influence of oral conscious sedation, it is unlikely that you will remember your procedure after the medication wears. Many patients like this aspect of sedation because the sights, sounds, and sensations of dental treatment make them feel uneasy.
What Does It Feel Like to Be Sedated at the Dentist?
Oral conscious sedation induces a powerful feeling of calmness and relaxation. You may feel drowsy; although you will not be “knocked out,” you might drift off to sleep. You should remain easy to awaken with gentle stimuli. Some patients report a heavy sensation in their limbs.
The effects of oral conscious sedation may linger for several hours after your appointment, so it is important that you have someone available to drive you home.
How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?
Oral conscious sedation is affordable for most patients. During your consultation, we can discuss specific numbers. If you are concerned about the price of your care, let us know. You might be eligible for low-interest financing through a third-party company.
Although sedation can add to the overall cost of your treatment, it might actually help you save money in the long run. After all, it can allow you to undergo procedures that you might otherwise delay. Prompt treatment can prevent oral health problems from worsening and becoming extremely expensive to address.
What Are the Risks of Sedation Dentistry?
The risks associated with sedation dentistry are minimal. Of course, some patients have medical considerations that make it more likely they will experience an adverse reaction. We thoroughly screen for such issues before approving anyone for sedation.
Some people experience mild side effects as a result of dental sedation. For example, you might feel groggy or have a headache as the sedation medication wears off. These side effects are usually easy to manage.
Is Sedation Dentistry Covered by Insurance?
Usually, insurance classifies sedation as an elective, luxury treatment. Therefore, they are unlikely to cover it. However, there are some occasional exceptions for patients with certain medical conditions or who need extensive procedures.
Our team can work with you to help you figure out how your benefits might apply. We can also file necessary forms on your behalf.
Is Sedation Dentistry Worth It?
Sedation will add to the total cost of your treatment, and it can make you feel sleepy and groggy for several hours (or longer). Therefore, some patients wonder if it is really worth it. We can confidently say that yes, for many people, sedation is certainly worth any sacrifices that it requires. There are a few reasons for this:
- Sedation makes it easier to undergo necessary dental treatment. This is important because oral health plays a huge role in overall wellness.
- Sedation might save you money. Because it can help you receive care in a timely manner, it might spare you from having to undergo more expensive procedures in the future.
- Sedation can save time. Sedation allows our team to work as efficiently as possible, and it can sometimes enable us to complete multiple procedures in a single appointment. Therefore, you will spend less time overall in our office.
How Long Does Dental Sedation Last?
Oral conscious sedation may have lingering effects for up to 24 hours. During that window, you should not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do anything else that requires a high level of concentration. Plan to take it easy! Some people choose to nap, watch movies, or read books while they are waiting for the effects of their sedation to wear off completely.
Does Dental Sedation Put You to Sleep?
Sedation dentistry is sometimes referred to as “sleep dentistry.” However, that is something of a misnomer. You might doze off while you are under the influence of sedative medication, but it should be easy for someone to awaken you. You will not be completely unconscious.
Some people feel as if they were asleep during their dental treatment because the sedation causes them to forget what happened throughout their appointment.