Sedation Dentistry: A Comfortable, Anxiety-Free Dental Experience

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

What is sedation dentistry? Sedation dentistry is a popular adjunct to general dentistry that allows patients to have a more calming experience during their routine dental procedures. Using dental sedation for anxiety can help patients complete their dental work comfortably and without stress. Medication is safely administered to help patients relax during dental treatments. There is a range of sedation options, from mild relaxation methods like nitrous oxide (laughing gas), to deeper calming options like oral sedatives or IV sedation.

What Are the Types of Sedation Dentistry

Great Lakes Family Dental Group offers several types of dental sedation to help patients of all ages address their dental needs comfortably. To determine if sedation dentistry is the right choice for you, several factors will be considered, such as your overall health and anxiety level, and the complexity of the procedure. Schedule a consultation with our dental experts at Great Lakes Family Dental Group to learn more about oral sedation dentistry and the methods offered at our offices.

Mild and medium sedation options are most commonly used for general dentistry, which include:

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): Using a small mask, a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen can be inhaled to quickly induce the sensation of relaxation. During use you remain conscious and able to communicate. The effects wear off immediately once the mask is removed. Nitrous oxide is often used for mild routine dental procedures like cleanings and fillings.
Oral Sedation: For a more moderate level of sedation, oral sedation can be administered in the form of a pill (i.e. Valium). The prescribing dentist will provide detailed instructions regarding use. The medication is often taken one hour before your dental appointment, and you will be asked to coordinate a ride to and from your appointment. Throughout the procedure you will be conscious but drowsy and deeply relaxed.
IV (Intravenous) Sedation: A stronger form of conscious sedation that is administered directly into your bloodstream through an IV line. Your dentist will monitor and adjust the level of sedation throughout the procedure. You will feel deeply relaxed and enter a dream-like state where it is hard to remember the procedure afterward. You will be asked to coordinate a ride to and from your appointment.

Sedation Type	Consciousness Level	Administration Method	Common Indications
Nitrous Oxide	Conscious & responsive (Mild sedation)	Inhaled	Mild anxiety, routine dental cleanings, minor fillings
Oral Sedation	Conscious & drowsy (Medium sedation)	Oral pill taken before the procedure	Moderate anxiety, multiple procedures, longer procedures
IV Sedation	Conscious & dream-like state (Deep sedation)	IV	Moderate–severe anxiety, complex or invasive procedures
General Anesthesia	Unconscious	Inhaled or IV	Severe anxiety, complex or invasive surgical procedures, special needs patients

Another common form of sedation is general anesthesia, which is typically indicated for patients undergoing more complex or invasive surgical procedures or those with severe dental anxiety. This method induces complete unconsciousness and is overseen by a licensed anesthesiologist.

Who Can Benefit From Sedation Dentistry?

Who needs sedation dentistry? There are many patients who can benefit from sedation dentistry due to its many advantages. Sedation dentistry is well-known for providing dental anxiety help and promoting pain free dental care for those suffering from dental anxiety, phobia, or past traumatic dental experiences. Dental anxiety and phobia can prevent patients from receiving necessary treatment, resulting in serious health issues. Thankfully, sedation dentistry can reduce fear, anxiety, and stress by inducing relaxation and temporary amnesia effects. Other patients who may qualify for sedation dentistry include those undergoing long or complex procedures, such as multiple dental fillings, crown preparation, implant placement, root canal therapy, or wisdom teeth removal. Even patients with a sensitive gag reflex or other conditions (i.e. severe tooth sensitivity) that make completing dental work challenging may qualify for sedation dentistry. An evaluation from your dental professional is necessary to determine if you are a candidate for sedation dentistry.

Patient Concerns	How Sedation Dentistry Helps
Dental Anxiety / Phobia	Stimulates a sense of relaxation, calms nerves, reduces stress and fear, amnesia effects
Sensitive Gag Reflex	Suppresses gag reflex
Long / Complex Procedures	Prolongs sense of relaxation, reduces restlessness, allows multiple treatments to be performed in one visit
Sensitivity / Pain	Reduces perception of pain and sensitivity
Past Trauma	Creates a positive dental experience

What to Expect During Sedation Dentistry?

What to expect sedation dentistry? The sedation dental visit process is simple. To determine if you are a candidate for sedation dentistry, a consultation will be performed by your dental professional where your medical and dental history, current health, medications, allergies, and other information will be reviewed. They will discuss how much does sedation dentistry cost and affordable payment options. Pre-procedure instructions such as fasting requirements, transportation, clothing recommendations, and what to expect during recovery will be explained.

Once all preparation is complete and your appointment begins, a licensed dental professional will administer the specific sedation chosen. If receiving nitrous oxide, a mask will be placed on, and you will breathe in a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. If oral sedation is used, you’ll likely be instructed to take an oral pill about 1 hour before the appointment. If receiving IV sedation, a small IV tube with the medication is gently inserted into your vein. Your vital signs will be continuously monitored for safety during your sedation appointment.

Once you are stable, all post-operative instructions will be reviewed and you will be released from the appointment. In most cases, an accompanying person will be required to drive you home. Depending on the sedation type used and other factors (i.e. dosage, individual metabolism), recovery time can vary. Nitrous oxide use is associated with immediate recovery once the mask is removed. The average time for sedation effects to wear off are 2-8 hours for oral sedation, and 4–8 hours for IV sedation. Although, full recovery for oral sedation and IV sedation may take up to 24 hours. Recovery time for General anesthesia lasts approximately 12–24 hours or more after the procedure.

What are the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry?

Looking for pain free dentistry? One of the great benefits of sedation dentistry is improved patient comfort during procedures. Sedation dentistry can provide a stress free dental visit by reducing anxiety and fear, promoting relaxation, and effectively controlling pain. Some types of sedation can even produce an amnesia effect, preventing the formation of traumatic experiences. Patients with other conditions such as severe teeth sensitivity or a sensitive gag reflex can be managed effectively with the use of sedation. Sedation allows dentists to work more efficiently, allowing for smoother treatments. When sedation is used, multiple or complex procedures can be completed timely and often in a single visit.

Sedation Dentistry for Kids

Much like adults, kids dental anxiety is common and can be addressed safely and effectively with advanced sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry for kids can help ease anxiety and fear about dental visits and create positive dental experiences. Sedation may also be considered for long or complex procedures, and/or children with special healthcare needs to make treatment more comfortable. Pediatric sedation is carefully monitored and tailored for your child’s safety. Customized dosage of sedation is calculated based on your child’s age, weight, health history, current health, and the dental treatment being performed. Dentists with specialized training administer the sedation and monitor your child’s vital signs and health throughout the procedure.

Sedation Dentistry Services at Great Lakes Family Dental Group

Typing ‘sedation dentist near me’ into your search and looking for excellent quality dental care? Great Lakes Family Dental Group should be your number one find. Great Lakes Family Dental sedation offers a pleasant dental experience combined with exceptional care and advanced technology. Your sedation experience is safely monitored by expert licensed professionals. Our knowledgeable dental professionals are friendly and go above and beyond to address the needs of all individuals, including those with various levels of dental anxiety. To learn more about our sedation options and get a personalized treatment plan, schedule a consultation at one of our many convenient locations near you.

How to Prepare for Your Sedation Appointment?

To prepare for your sedation appointment, it is important to follow all instructions from your dentist for a smooth sedation recovery. Discuss all medical conditions, current medications and supplements, and any other important information with your dental professional with your dentist before your appointment. Specific instructions may be given regarding medication use prior to your procedure may be given with your doctor’s approval. You will also review your sedation dentistry cost for the procedure.

In general, you may be instructed to fast prior to your procedure depending on the type of sedation you will receive. IV sedation, oral sedation, and general anesthesia typically require you to not consume any solid foods for 6 to 8 hours prior to your procedure. You may also be instructed to stop consuming all liquids for a specific period of time before the procedure. Your dentist will discuss arranging a responsible driver who can accompany you to and from your appointment, as you will need to avoid driving for several hours after sedation. It is recommended to wear clothing that is comfortable to your appointment and remove all jewelry and makeup.

Be prepared to rest for the remainder of the day following your procedure, as you will need to take physical activity precautions to minimize risks of adverse health consequences. Follow all post-operative instructions from your dentist, including eating and drinking guidelines, medication use, and oral hygiene. Contact your dentist immediately if you experience any abnormal signs or symptoms after your appointment.

Precautions after Sedation

Important sedation appointment tips to remember to prepare for dental sedation include:

Follow all specific instructions given by your dental professional, which are tailored to your individual health needs and procedure performed.
Do not drive or operate motor vehicles if instructed by your dental professional. For many sedation options (i.e. oral sedation, IV sedation, general anesthesia) you will be required to avoid driving or operating motor vehicles for at least 24 hours. A person will need to drive and accompany you to and from your appointment.
Avoid heavy physical activity and strenuous exercise, such as running, heavy lifting, or sports for at least 24 hours after your procedure.
Get adequate rest after your procedure to promote healing.
Stay hydrated with water for improved recovery and to help eliminate the sedative medications from your system.
Consume a soft diet immediately following your procedure, such as mashed potatoes, soup, yogurt, cooked vegetables, or cooked pasta.
Avoid alcohol and tobacco products for at least 24 hours after your appointment. These substances can interfere with healing and negatively interact with sedatives.
Avoid making any important decisions, such as making large purchases or signing legal documents for at least 24 hours after sedation use, as it can impair your judgement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sedation dentistry safe for everyone?

Many patients are considered excellent candidates for sedation dentistry. However, a thorough evaluation and review of your medical and dental history is necessary to determine if sedation dentistry is appropriate for you. Certain risk factors may contraindicate the use of sedation or require special precautions be made when used to ensure proper safety and minimize risks. For instance, patients with severe respiratory issues, sleep apnea, heart problems, liver or kidney issues, substance abuse, or those who are pregnant may require special considerations if sedation is used.

Will I feel anything during sedation?

Your exact experience during your dental procedure can depend on the type of sedation used. In general, you will feel relaxed and should not feel any pain. Dental local anesthesia is often also used in combination with sedation to numb the area being treated and keep you comfortable. It is normal to feel sensations of pressure or movement during your dental procedure, but your level of awareness will vary based on the different levels of sedation given. Minimal Sedation, like nitrous oxide/laughing gas, produces a sensation of calmness throughout the procedure. Deeper sedation methods like oral or IV sedation may cause you to feel drowsy and deeply relaxed, and likely not remember much from the procedure. General anesthesia will produce complete unconsciousness, and therefore you will not feel or remember anything during the procedure.

How long does dental sedation last?

The amount of time that dental sedation lasts will depend on the type that is used. The effects from nitrous oxide/laughing gas typically wear off within 5 to 10 minutes after the mask is removed. Oral sedation may wear off in approximately 2 to 8 hours depending on factors such as dosage and individual metabolism, with fully recovery lasting on average up to 24 hours. The effects from IV sedation may last on average between 4 to 8 hours after the procedure, with full recovery up to 24 hours. General anesthesia tends to take the longest amount of time to recover, with effects lasting approximately 12 to 24 hours or more after the procedure.

Can children receive sedation?

Yes, sedation is safe and effective for children of almost any age when administered properly by trained healthcare professionals. A comprehensive evaluation, including the child’s medical history, current health, anxiety level, age and weight will be taken into consideration to determine if they are a good candidate for dental sedation. If sedation is used, your child's vital signs (i.e. heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels) will be continuously monitored by qualified professionals to ensure safety.

Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance?

In general, sedation dentistry is not covered by dental insurance when used for dental procedures deemed non-medically necessary. However, some plans may offer coverage for sedation dentistry for specific circumstances with documentation. To confirm your plan’s coverage, check with your insurance provider and dentist. If insurance does not cover sedation, your dentist can recommend other affordable payment methods including in-office payment plans or third-party financing companies.