Sedation Dentistry: Solution for Dental Phobia

Sedation dentistry. Sounds like the very reason a person would not want to see a dentist, doesn’t it? The truth of the matter is that sedation dentistry is solution for individuals that suffer from dental phobia, or a fear of the dentist. Sedation dentistry simply relaxes the patient so that routine dental care can be performed while he or she is awake.

For patients that suffer from dental phobias, sedation dentistry is a method to reduce or even alleviate the anxiety in order to have a positive experience. Contrary to popular belief, the patient is not put to sleep. Rather, a medication is administered to relax the patient but he or she is conscious.

With sedation dentistry, there is no reason to fear the dentist any longer. For those that suffer from dental phobia, a positive dental experience is within reach.

In a word—nothing. The same procedures that a dentist would complete for a routine check-up, such as a cleaning or filling a cavity can be done whether the patient is sedated or not. Because the sedation is used to alleviate anxiety, the patient is awake and able to perform simple instructions to aid the dentist.

It is not uncommon to have some trepidation about visiting the dentist. However, those persons that would benefit the most from sedation dentistry are those that suffer from intense anxiety about dental procedures. If the anxiety that a person feels about going to the dentist is to the extent that he or she refuses to go for at least a routine cleaning should find a dentist that specializes in sedation dentistry.

The first step to overcoming the fear of going to the dentist and utilize sedation dentistry is to find a dentist that specializes in this type of dentistry. Not every dentist carries the credentials to use sedation. One the appropriate dentist is chosen an initial appointment will need to be made. No procedures will ever be attempted at this appointment. However, the dentist will need to get a complete medical history to determine to best course of action.

If it is decided that oral medications are optimal for the patient, he or she will prescribe a medication to be taken the night before the next appointment. This is critical to get a good night’s sleep. Someone will need to accompany the patient to the appointment as more medication will be administered at the beginning of the appointment. The patient should not drive or operate heavy machinery for at least twenty-four hours.

Different dentists may use different types of drugs to achieve the desired or necessary sedated effect for the patient. IV (intravenous) medications or nitrous oxide (happy gas) may be used.

The most popular method for sedation is by oral medications. The dentist will prescribe a pill that is generally used to alleviate anxiety in other patients and proven successful. This class of drugs is called benzodiazepines. When taken in small doses, these types of medications are highly effective in calming a patient but leaving the body quickly. Examples of specific medications include: Valium, Ativan, and Versed. The dentist will be able to determine the right medication for each patient.

The dentist will be able to determine if there are any risks to using sedation methods through a thorough evaluation of medical history. Knowing any current medications that the patient may be taking or known allergies is important. Aside from those two factors the risks of using sedation medications is minimal.

The side effects are minimal and can actually be beneficial to the patient. One example is the amnesic effect. Patients often report they remember very little or even nothing of the dental appointment. Further, there may be less post-operative soreness due to being sedated or relaxed. Finally, patients often experience a dry mouth when taking these medications.

Typically, most insurance companies do not cover the cost of sedation dentistry. There may be some instances where a portion of the sedation may be covered. The dentist will be able to determine what is covered at the initial appointment.

Dependent on the type of sedation that is used and geographical location, the cost of sedation dentistry may range from a few hundred dollars to over a thousand dollars. However, if the patient and the dentist agree that oral medications can be used, the average is between $225 to just over $300.