Sedation Dentistry – Chelsea, MI

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It’s more common than you’d think for both children and adults to have a fear of going to the dentist. This can lead to them skipping visits altogether, even when they know they need it. Our dentists and team members at Healthy Smiles Dental Care will do whatever it takes to help you feel comfortable and right at home while you’re here. However, those who need additional help can benefit from our multiple sedation options prior to treatment. Feel free to ask us about options for sedation dentistry in Chelsea, MI the next time you call our dental office and schedule your next appointment!

Why Choose Healthy Smiles Dental Care for Sedation Dentistry?

Fearful patient in need of sedation dentistry covering her mouth

Two Unique Sedation Options
Kind and Accommodating Dental Specialists
Conveniently Located for Chelsea Families

Oral Conscious Sedation

Patient holding oral conscious dental sedation pill

With oral conscious sedation, our dentists will provide you with a pill and a series of instructions on how to properly administer it before your appointment. For example, you should take it several hours before your appointment. This means you’ll need to have a friend or family member drive you to and from the dental office. Once the sedative takes effect, you will feel drowsy, but still awake, meaning you’ll be able to answer simple questions and follow directions during your visit. If you have a severe dental phobia or anxiety, this option is likely the most suitable one for you. Here’s a closer look at what oral conscious sedation entails.

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What is Oral Conscious Sedation?

a man relaxing on his couch and smiling comfortably

This form of dental sedation involves taking a prescribed medication pill that is designed to help a patient feel completely relaxed while they undergo dental treatment. In many cases, oral conscious sedation is reserved for adults who struggle with dental-related anxiety and fear or have difficulty feeling comfortable or remaining still while in the examination chair. This service doesn’t involve needles or even a face mask. You will simply take a small pill sometime before your dental visit, typically about an hour or so, and you should feel incredibly calm by the time you arrive. Our team will provide you with specific instructions on how to administer the medication.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

a woman taking an oral conscious sedation pill

After you have taken the oral conscious sedation pill and the effects have kicked in, you should begin to feel calm, relaxed, and euphoric before you’ve even begun your dental procedure. Some patients have even reported feeling as though they’ve dozed off during their appointment. While you might feel as if you’ve gone to sleep, you’ll technically still be conscious, meaning you will be able to respond to simple commands or questions from your dentist. Our experienced team will closely monitor your vitals throughout your visit to ensure you’re comfortable and safe while undergoing your procedure. One of the differences between this sedation and nitrous oxide is that the effects will last much longer. That’s why you’ll need to have a trusted friend or family member to take you to and from your visit.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

a dentist performing a checkup on a patient

As one of the most popular and effective sedation dentistry options, you can rest assured that you can enjoy a pleasant and care-free dental appointment simply by taking a prescribed pill. You might be a viable candidate for oral conscious sedation if you:

Struggle with dental anxiety or fear
Have trouble remaining still while sitting in the dental chair
Require multiple treatments in a single visit
Need to undergo an extensive procedure
Struggle with a strong or sensitive gag reflex
Have difficulty getting numb from anesthesia
Had a bad experience while at the dentist in the past

Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation

Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide is a common and well-known type of sedation administered via a mask that is worn over your nose. Thanks to its anesthetic properties, it can be used to relieve discomfort as well as keep you calm during your treatment. We will closely monitor you throughout your whole procedure to ensure you get the amount you need to stay at ease the entire time. The effects of the gas should not remain after the mask is removed, meaning you can continue your day without interruption.

Sedation Dentistry FAQs

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

We will need to carefully look over your medical history and consider the medications that you’re currently taking to determine whether or not you can have sedation performed without issue. That being said, sedation dentistry is considered safe in most cases, especially when talking about nitrous oxide sedation.

It’s worth remembering that our team will be keeping a careful eye on you throughout your appointment. While you’re under the effects of sedation, we will keep track of your blood pressure, oxygen levels, and other vital signs. You can rest assured that your safety and comfort are always our top priorities.

What Does It Feel Like to Be Sedated at the Dentist?

Many people who have received nitrous oxide sedation would describe it as a light, euphoric feeling. You will be more relaxed, and there may be a slight tingle in your arms and legs. Some patients even become somewhat giggly under the effects of nitrous oxide.

With oral conscious sedation, you may become so relaxed that you drift off to sleep in the dental chair. (We can easily wake you up if this happens.) From your perspective, it may seem like time is passing by more quickly than it normally does.

Is Sedation Dentistry Covered by Insurance?

This is a somewhat tricky question to answer. Many insurance plans typically don’t cover sedation under normal circumstances, but they may help pay for it if it is deemed truly necessary. For example, some disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, can make it next to impossible to have dental work performed without the use of some type of sedation. On top of that, sedation may be called for when undergoing an especially complex treatment.

It never hurts to double-check the specifics of your dental insurance plan to see what coverage may be available for sedation. If there’s anything you don’t understand about your policy, our team can gladly go over it with you.

How Long Does Dental Sedation Last?

It depends on the type of sedation you received. Nitrous oxide wears off fairly quickly; it should typically take around five minutes for the effects to dissipate once the sedative is no longer being administered. Oral conscious sedation, on the other hand, tends to linger. You can normally expect the effects to last for the rest of the day. For your safety, it is recommended that you have someone else drive you home after your appointment.

Is Sedation Dentistry Worth It?

While sedation dentistry can add to the cost of your care, it can also take much of the stress out of your visit and make it easier to have important dental work done. On top of that, sedation dentistry can make you less likely to put off your appointments, thus allowing you to take care of dental problems before they grow even more severe and more costly to treat. In short, there are plenty of reasons why sedation dentistry could be worth pursuing.

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