Sedation Dentistry | Best Dental in Houston, TX

Sedation dentistry has really revolutionized the dental field. Long gone are the days of fear and anxiety setting in as you prepare yourself mentally for your next dental procedure. Whether it be a dental implant that you are getting or a procedure as simple as a deep teeth cleaning, the idea of visiting your dentist has always been a source of angst and mental discomfort for most people. Over the past decade dentists have introduced various sedation dentistry options to help their patients sleep through their dental treatment and wake up without a memory of what happened. Patients ability to help cope with sedation dentistry has allowed many to get the dental treatment that they desperately need.

How safe is sedation dentistry?

If your dentist is properly trained to provide sedation dentistry, it can be a very safe option. As there are many sedation options available to the public now, the main form of sedation that clients choose tends to be intravenous sedation (IV Sedation). This form of sedation involves the use of a catheter that is inserted in your vein that allows your dentist to inject sedatives that can help you relax during your procedure. It is also the safest method of sedation dentistry because the amount of medicine given can be slowly titrated to allow the dentist to know how much medicine his or her patient needs to feel relaxed during the procedure. One of the other perks of intravenous sedation is the fact that it provides amnesic effects after you have treatment completed. This means that most patients do not remember anything about their dental treatment, which is very useful when undergoing complex dental procedures like wisdom teeth removal.

Will I feel any pain after I am sedated?

Local anesthesia is still used after IV Sedation has been started by your dentist. Although your body may feel pain during the procedure, you will not remember anything that happened due to the anterograde amnesia that these medications possess. All patients who undergo IV Sedation will not recognize any pain during their procedure due to a lack of memory of what happened during the course of the treatment.

See Also: Pain Free Dentistry

How long does sedation last after my procedure?

This will entirely depend on how quickly your body metabolizes the medicines that are given intravenously. On average, it normally takes 6-8 hours to fully recover from the effects of sedation dentistry. Some patients will recover more quickly while other will take longer. We usually recommend to rest 24 hours after your procedure to make sure all remnants and effects posed by the medicines have left your system after your dental visit.

Is IV sedation safer than general anesthesia?

IV Sedation is more safe than general anesthesia. The difference between the two is the fact that when a general anesthetic is given, you lose your ability to breath on your own. That is the main difference between the two. As more sedative medicine is given, people cross the line between IV Sedation and general anesthesia. Your dentist must be very careful when administering medicines through an IV to not overdose you during the procedure. Too much medicine can slowly begin to impair your breathing leading to potentially life threatening dental emergencies.

How long does it take to wake up from IV Sedation?

After your procedure is completed, it will take up to 30 minutes to wake up from your procedure. Different reversal medications can be given to help speed up the recovery process, although these are typically used during a dental emergency. After 30 minutes you will slowly come around, although you will still be groggy and sleepy throughout the rest of the day.

Can you drive home after your dental sedation treatment?

The answer to this is a definitive no. You will not be able to operate any vehicle for up to 24 hours after your treatment is completed. You will need a driver to take you back home, otherwise you will not be allowed to be sedated during your procedure.

Houston Sedation Dentist | Best Dental

Do you provide sedation dentistry for kids?

At Best Dental, we only provide sedation options for our adult patients. For children, we do not go beyond nitrous oxide (laughing gas). If your child needs to be put to sleep for any extensive dental treatment, we normally refer them to a pediatric dentist who has the skill to perform these procedures.

Can I have my root canal performed under sedation?

You most definitely can. Many of our patients are able to sleep through their root canal therapy with IV Sedation. We offer this service to all our patients who suffer from severe dental phobia. Most root canal treatments last less than one hour, so you can be assured to be safe through the entirety of the procedure.

We hope these answered some of your questions regarding sedation dentistry. If you have any further inquiries feel free to give our Houston dental office a call today.

Other Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry

Besides IV Sedation, what other forms of sedation dentistry do you offer?

There are two other forms that we offer at Best Dental:

  • Oral Conscious Sedation: This is the use of pills that you take an hour before your dental procedure to help you relax. Although this is a reliable form of sedation, it does not provide patients with the amnesic and sleep effects that IV Sedation can offer. It is the less expensive option, which is why many patients opt for it.
  • Nitrous oxide: Also known as laughing gas, this involves the use of an inhaled medication to help you relax during your dental procedure. This also does not provide patients with amnesic effects, and patients will be aware of their surroundings during their dental treatment.

Can you eat before conscious sedation?

You must be NPO (without food or water) for 8 hours prior to your dental procedure if you are undergoing IV Sedation. Most times, we recommend our patients to have their procedure performed in the morning. This allows them to eat dinner, skip breakfast, and complete the necessary dental treatment.

What drugs are normally used for sedation dentistry?

For IV Sedation, the following drugs are typically used by your clinician:

  • Midazolam (Versed)
  • Fentanyl
  • Propofol

This latter medication is mainly used as a general anesthetic, and hardly used during basic IV Sedation procedures.

For Oral Sedation, two main medications are prescribed:

  • Valium
  • Halcyon

Both of these medications are from the same family of drugs, and provide similar effects.

Do people talk while under conscious sedation?

Normally, most patients are sleep and do not verbalize anything during conscious sedation dentistry. Patients may provide clues of discomfort with uncomfortable noises during the procedure, which tells the dentist that he or she needs to provide more local anesthetic in the region that they are working on.

What can happen if you eat before IV Sedation?

Food can be regurgitated up your esophagus, and entire your lungs. This is a choking hazard, which can turn into a life threatening emergency. If you have eaten before your sedation procedure, please inform your dentist as your life may depend on it.

How much does sedation dentistry normally cost?

The average cost of IV Sedation is $750. Since this form of sedation can last quite a while, if your procedure last more than thirty minutes, the price will continue to go up. With oral conscious sedation, it is usually a one time fee of $300.

Do I need to be sedated for a tooth extraction?

Most single tooth extractions are performed under local anesthesia. If you suffer from severe dental phobia, then IV Sedation can certainly be an option for your treatment. We have had many patients undergo sleep dentistry even for a single tooth removal procedure.

Does insurance cover sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is commonly covered by most dental plans. The three major forms of sedation offered by dentists (which include laughing gas, oral sedation, and IV Sedation) are typically covered at around 50%. This means that most carriers will burden at least half of the costs of any form of sedation that you and your doctor choose.

Can a dentist put you to sleep for a tooth extraction?

If your dentist is trained in the art of IV Sedation, he can help put you to sleep for almost any procedure granted your health history permits it. Whether it is a tooth extraction, dental implants, or any other invasive form of dentistry, sleep dentistry is certainly an option for you.