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Sedation Dentistry IN STERLING HEIGHTS, MI

Sedation Dentistry

Sedation Dentistry in Sterling Heights, MI



Research shows that between 9% to 20% of people in the United States experience anxiety when it comes to visiting the dentist. For some, it is more than just nervousness- they are terrified and panic-stricken when they think of going to the dentist. They avoid it for as long as possible and only make an appointment when they have no other choice.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is a technique that helps patients feel at ease during dental procedures. Typically, we use conscious sedation. This means that you’re technically awake but feel carefree and you won’t feel any pain. In extreme cases of dental anxiety or for patients with special needs, we may use general anesthesia.

If you have anxiety when it comes to dental procedures, you will need to discuss your needs with Dr. Fadi Farhat during your consultation.

What are the different types of Sedation?

At Dental One Care, we offer several levels of sedation dentistry based on your personal needs. We consider several factors including your anxiety level, how long the procedure will last, your general health history, and your preferences. Typically, we use nitrous oxide, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation.

Dental phobia may be caused by a variety of things, including fear of pain, fear of injections or that the injection will not work, fear of side effects associated with anesthesia, loss of control, and embarrassment/loss of personal space.

However, at Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI, we offer sedation dentistry to help patients who have dental anxiety and dental phobia.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation

Nitrous oxide is commonly referred to as “laughing gas”. When you sit in the dental chair, a mask or nosepiece will be placed on your nose. You will take several deep breaths and begin to feel calm within 3 to 5 minutes. Dr. Farhat will control the amount of sedation you receive and will adjust it accordingly during the procedure.

Once the procedure is complete, you will be given pure oxygen to flush the nitrous out of your system. You should be able to drive immediately following the procedure, since the nitrous leaves your system so quickly.

Oral Conscious Sedation

In the case of oral conscious sedation, you’ll be given an oral sedative approximately an hour before the procedure. Adults are typically given a pill, while pediatric patients or those who cannot swallow a pill may be given a liquid.

IV Sedation

IV sedation is the deepest form of conscious sedation. You will be given a sedative through an IV. During the procedure, we will monitor your oxygen level, heart rate, and blood pressure and adjust the sedative as necessary. If necessary, we can quickly administer reversal medications. This is the best option for patients who have severe dental phobia or are undergoing a long procedure.

This type of sedation will make you groggy and you may fall asleep but will still be able to communicate with the dentist if necessary. You will typically wake up with a gentle nudge. However, though you are conscious, oral sedation will impact your memory and motor skills, so you will need someone to drive you home following the procedure.

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry offer several benefits:

Relieves anxiety

The number one benefit of sedation dentistry is that it relieves anxiety, allowing patients to undergo dental treatment without discomfort. The fear of pain or that something will go wrong is one of the primary reasons that patients avoid dental treatment. Sedation dentistry counters this anxiety.

Amnesia

Another benefit of sedation dentistry is amnesia. For many patients, dental phobia started due to an unpleasant experience at some point and only gets worse with every visit, especially if they experience discomfort. However, there’s no increase in phobia with sedation dentistry because your brain can’t create new memories. For some patients, it even reduces future anxiety.

Reduces gag reflex

In most cases, a gag reflex is a good thing. After all, your throat needs to be able to stop any foreign objects from getting into your body. However, in the case of dental procedures, a gag reflex gets in the way- especially if the dentist needs to work on the back teeth. Sedation dentistry paralyzes the gag reflex, allowing the dentist to work quickly and efficiently.

Relieves pain

The team at Dental One Care understands that no one enjoys tooth or gum pain, so it makes sense that some people are anxious about going to the dentist. Sedation dentistry prevents the brain from processing pain.

Cost of Sedation Dentistry

The cost of sedation dentistry varies based on the type of sedation used.

  • Nitrous oxide sedation: $25 to $100+
  • Oral conscious sedation: $150 to $500+
  • IV sedation: $250 to $900+

Typically, dental insurance providers consider sedation “elective”, meaning it is not medically necessary for the procedure. Therefore, most plans will not cover it. Tanya, our Administrative Clerical Team Leader will work with your provider to determine your coverage.

If your insurance provider does not cover sedation, we will explain the costs to you and can put together a financing plan if necessary.

Schedule Your Dental Procedures Today

If you have been putting off much-needed dental work due to dental anxiety or phobia, you don’t have to fear it anymore. At Dental One Care in Sterling Heights, MI, we offer sedation dentistry. Schedule your consultation today so that we can evaluate your condition and create a treatment plan.

We are located at 4147 Metro Parkway, Suite 101. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday, 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and Friday 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM. We look forward to helping you overcome your dental anxiety so we can take care of your dental needs.

Sedation Dentistry FAQs

Our patients often have questions when it comes to dental procedures and techniques, including sedation dentistry. We are more than happy to address any questions or concerns you may have. Some of the most common questions we hear about sedation dentistry are:

Will I be unconscious?

No- you will be awake during the procedure. Sedation dentistry helps you relax but will not put you completely asleep. You will be conscious enough to communicate with the team if necessary.

How long will sedation last?

The length of sedation depends on the sedative used. For example, nitrous oxide wears off fairly quickly following the procedure because we administer pure oxygen to flush it out. However, the effects of oral or IV sedation typically last longer because your body has to process it. You will need someone to drive you home following your procedure if oral or IV sedation is used.

Will I feel pain?

The purpose of sedation dentistry is to help you feel calm and relaxed during your procedures. It reduces your pain sensors, so procedures are virtually painless.

Is sedation dentistry safe?

Yes, sedation dentistry is 100% safe. We will closely monitor your vital signs throughout your procedure.

Dental 1 Care

Dental 1 Care offers a wide range of dental services to meet your needs. We offer single implants, implant-supported dentures, root canals, dentures, and sedation Dentistry. We are committed to providing the best possible care for our patients. Our staff is friendly and knowledgeable, and we will work with you to make sure you are comfortable and informed about your treatment options.

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