Sedation Dentist: Talk to a Practitioner to Get the Facts

If fear has kept you from getting dental work done, you should consider using a sedation dentist. This type of practitioner skillfully uses sedation to make you feel relaxed enough to get through nearly any procedure that you need. Whether you have to get several fillings or need you wisdom teeth out, you should consider going to this type of practitioner so you can avoid anxiety during the appointment.

You may assume that you have to get a needle stuck into your arm to get this kind of relaxation. However, the traditional method of being sedated via IV, or intravenous needle, is not as popular as more modern options. In many cases, you will be given a pill that you can take an hour before treatment. This method is often greatly preferred to getting poked in the arm for an IV of drugs, and many patients also prefer pills to inhaling drugs, such as nitrous oxide, also called laughing gas. Of course, if you do not like to swallow pills, then the more traditional methods may work best and you can ask your practitioner if he still uses them.

Once the practitioner is sure that it has kicked in, the procedure will start. You can expect to feel a little drowsy, but mostly you will not care about what is going on. This means that while you are definitely still awake, not asleep, you will not be anxious about what is going on. The reason this drug does not completely put you to sleep is that dentists need to ask questions during the procedure to ensure that you do not feel pain and that everything is going as it should. Therefore, do not expect to be entirely asleep for the treatment, but this does not mean that you will be nervous or in pain. Plus, you probably will not remember the visit very well afterward, and the procedure will likely feel like it lasted only a few minutes.

In most cases, you will need someone to drive you home after your visit to the sedation dentist. This is because the medication may not wear off right after the procedure, so you might not be safe to drive. Your practitioner will let you know whether you should get a ride, but you should have someone lined up just in case. In addition, note that even though you will not care much about the discomfort when you are sedated, you will probably still have to get local anesthetic in your gums so that your mouth feels numb, so do not be surprised by this when you see the needle.

If you are not sure whether this method will help you reduce your anxiety, talk to a sedation dentist to find out your options. You should be sure to have a consultation before your appointment anyway since dental insurance does not always cover the entire cost. Talking to the dental office first can help you avoid getting a bill that is higher than expected.