Sedation Dentistry – Warsaw, IN
How We Help Nervous Patients Feel Comfortable
Most people don’t exactly look forward to visiting the dentist, but some people experience so much anxiety or fear of the dentist that they avoid getting needed treatments. Our team at East Center Dental will do everything we can to make you feel at-ease during your visits, but if you need a little help relaxing, we offer a number of dental sedation options. The next time you call our dental office, ask how sedation dentistry from our Warsaw, IN dentist can make it a breeze to get the care you need!
Why Choose East Center Dental for Sedation Dentistry?
- Noise-Canceling Headphones, Cozy Blankets, & Other Comforts Offered
- Compassionate Dentist with 30+ Years of Experience
- Focused on Building Lasting Relationships with Patients
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Before we discuss the individual types of sedation, let’s talk about what it even is. There are multiple sedation techniques, which can be used for calming patients either before or during procedures or to help patients be more comfortable during long procedures. The most familiar sedation technique is laughing gas. Here are the different types of sedation.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Whether they need a routine checkup and cleaning or have a more complex procedure to undergo, many people develop anxiety around dental appointments. Fortunately, Dr. Rudolph can administer nitrous oxide (laughing gas) sedation to help you feel calm and comfortable throughout your visit.
Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of this medication and how it works, and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have additional questions!
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Some people mistakenly assume that dental sedation is only available for invasive or complex procedures, but that’s thankfully not the case. You can potentially benefit from nitrous oxide if you have:
- An overly sensitive gag reflex.
- A fear of needles.
- A resistance to local anesthetics or numbing.
- Severe anxiety regarding dental work.
- Challenges sitting still for longer periods.
- Multiple procedures or a lengthier treatment to complete in a single visit.
This option is considered safe for most people, though it can pose additional risks and might not be recommended if you’re pregnant, have sinus congestion, suffer from chronic respiratory disease, or are taking prescriptions or supplements that might negatively interfere.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
This fast-acting medication is inhaled through a gas mask placed over your nose throughout your procedure. The effects kick in moments after breathing it in and dissipate just as quickly once the mask is removed, so you’ll likely be able to drive yourself home after your appointment.
Laughing gas typically doesn’t put you to sleep, meaning that you’ll be aware enough tor respond to our team’s directions and questions during your visit. However, it reduces your body’s ability to respond to external stimuli and induces a sense of extreme calm and relaxation. You might even feel tingling in your limbs or get a case of the giggles, and are unlikely to remember all the details of your appointment afterwards.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Once your procedure is complete and we remove the mask, it can take a few moments for the medication to leave your system. Our East Center Dental team will monitor you briefly to ensure that the effects don’t linger before you leave.
Most patients can resume their normal activities following this type of sedation, so you can return to school or work without issues. However, this drug can sometimes cause mild nausea; you may want to wait a couple of hours before eating anything if you’re not feeling up to it.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is a treatment that puts a dental patient into a deeper state of relaxation than nitrous oxide, so it may be better for those with severe dental anxiety or conditions that make it difficult for them to stay still. Here’s a quick overview of how oral conscious sedation works and who it can help, but please contact the staff at East Center Dental if you would like to learn more.
What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is a treatment that involves neither needles nor nose mask, and it is typically recommended for adult patients with issues like dental anxiety, a strong gag reflex, or anything else that makes it difficult for them to sit comfortably during dental treatment. Dr. Rudolph will prescribe a small pill, usually Ativan, Halcion, or Valium, to be taken briefly before your checkup or dental procedure begins. The drug will take effect within fifteen minutes or so, and the patient will remain in a sedated state for several hours.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
The effects of the prescribed pill will last throughout the entire procedure, and the patient will need a trusted individual to drive them to and from their appointment. Since the effects will remain for several hours after the appointment, it’s important to retire to a safe area where you can recuperate such as your home when the procedure is done. The treatment induces a sense of relaxation and calmness, and you may not be able to remember your appointment very well afterward. This can be beneficial for some patients with severe dental anxiety since it can prevent them from forming negative memories that make it difficult to receive necessary oral care later. However, the patient will remain conscious and able to respond to questions and instructions throughout the procedure, and the staff at East Center Dental will make sure they stay safe throughout the process.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
Oral conscious sedation is an excellent option for those who:
- Struggle with fear, anxiety, or nervousness associated with seeing their dentist.
- Frequently cancel or reschedule dental appointments out of apprehension.
- Have a severe gag reflex that makes it difficult for a dentist to work within their mouth.
- Are scheduled for especially long treatments.
- Have difficulty sitting still or holding their mouth open at the dentist’s office.
- Have had bad experiences at a dentist’s office in the past.
- Are not sufficiently affected by local anesthetics.
The Need for Sedation Dentistry
Talk to your dentist if you have worries or concerns about an upcoming appointment or procedure. The need for sedation changes for every patient and the dentists can talk to you about the options that are available to you. Here at East Center Dental, we want to make every patient as comfortable as possible.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Sedation dentistry is considered safe for most patients as long as a qualified professional administers it. For instance, many people can receive nitrous oxide (laughing gas) without ever developing an issue, including children and seniors.
However, that doesn’t mean it’s the right solution for everyone. Dr. Rudolph might not offer sedation at our office in Warsaw if you’re pregnant, nursing, have other health concerns, or are on certain medications that might cause negative interactions. Furthermore, we’ll monitor your statistics throughout the entire time you’re receiving the medication to ensure that your heart rate, blood pressure, and other vital signs remain within healthy ranges.
What Does Dental Sedation Feel Like?
If you’re nervous about being medicated during your appointment in Warsaw, it might ease your nerves to learn more about what to expect. Typically, nitrous oxide causes a lightweight or tingling sensation that might make you giggle, hence the nickname “laughing gas”. The effects kick in moments after inhaling the drug through the mask placed over your nose, and dissipate just as quickly once it’s removed.
Oral conscious sedation is taken as a pill and usually provides a more intense sense of calm and relaxation. Although you won’t be ‘put to sleep’, you might feel so at ease that you drift off while our team completes your procedure. You’ll be asked to take this pill before you arrive so it kicks in by the time we begin, and you’ll likely feel groggy for the rest of the day after your visit.
Will I Remember My Procedure if I’m Sedated?
Many people prefer to remain in control of themselves when they’re in new, unfamiliar, or vulnerable situations, like undergoing a dental procedure. The medications we use won’t knock you out, but there’s a good chance you won’t be able to recall the details of your treatment afterward.
This is likely because the medications affect parts of the brain involved in memory and consciousness, making it difficult to remember. Plenty of patients with anxiety consider this short-term memory loss to be an added benefit of dental sedation.
Does Insurance Cover Dental Sedation?
Most dental insurance policies are designed to reduce out-of-pocket expenses by covering 100% of preventive care, like checkups and cleanings, but only a percentage of treatments needed to address oral issues. Unfortunately, most plans categorize dental sedation as a “luxury” option and don’t cover the cost.
Although we proudly accept many types of insurance, we also understand that not all patients carry a policy. If you’re concerned you can’t afford your sedation, you might benefit from one of our flexible financial plans through CareCredit. If your application is approved, you can divvy your final invoice into more manageable installments over a designated period.
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