Sedation Dentist – Henderson, NV

What is Oral Conscious Sedation?

Oral conscious sedation involves taking medication before your appointment. Once the effects of the medication kick in, you will enter a state of relaxation where you won’t be bothered by the sights and sounds of the dental office. As the name implies, you will still be awake during the treatment, so you will be able to follow any directions that we give you. However, time will seem to pass faster than normal, and you may not remember what happened during your treatment.

How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?

We will carefully review your medical history to confirm that oral conscious sedation is safe for you. Then we will give you the medication along with instructions regarding when you need to take it. You should plan on having someone else drive you to your appointment.

During your treatment, we will monitor you carefully to make sure that you stay safe and comfortable. If you happen to fall asleep, we will generally be able to wake you up simply by gently shaking you. Once the procedure is complete, the effects of sedation will likely still linger; you’ll need to make arrangements to have someone take you home, and you should plan on spending the remainder of the day resting.

Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?

Plenty of patients can potentially benefit from oral conscious sedation, but how will you know if it’s right for you? Below are some common examples of situations where this type of sedation might prove beneficial:

• You are often afraid, anxious, or nervous when it comes to dental care of any kind.
• You have a particularly sensitive gag reflex that has interfered with your ability to have dental treatment performed in the past.
• You plan on having more than one treatment performed during a single visit.
• You plan on having a particularly lengthy treatment performed.
• You find it difficult to keep your mouth open or sit still in the dental chair for extended periods of time.
• Your mouth is not easily numbed with local anesthetic.

Of course, it’s always best to get a professional’s opinion on whether a given treatment is the best choice for you. Our team can evaluate your health history and consider your situation before helping you figure out whether oral conscious sedation is worth pursuing in your case.

What Is IV Sedation Dentistry?

IV sedation, also known as intravenous sedation, is the practice of injecting medications directly into the bloodstream. This method ensures that the effects of the sedation kick in as quickly as possible. IV sedation is sometimes called “twilight sedation” because even though patients remain conscious, they may not remember anything after their procedure. They might feel as though they are unconscious.

IV sedation is quite powerful, more so than nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation. We carefully monitor patients while they are under the influence of IV sedation so we can ensure their safety. It may take up to 24 hours for the effects of IV sedation to completely wear off, so patients should have a friend or family member available to drive them home from their appointment.

Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?

As your sedation dentist in Henderson, we will determine which type of sedation is best for you. IV sedation might fit your circumstances if:

• You suffer from severe dental anxiety or dental phobia, so much so that you wish to feel like you are unconscious during treatment.
• You have a severe gag reflex that makes it difficult to get through dental treatments.
• Your body is highly resistant to numbing agents.
• You do not have any allergies or other medical conditions that could be considered a contraindication for IV sedation.
• You must undergo multiple or extensive procedures in a single appointment.

The Benefits of IV Sedation

Some of the top benefits of IV sedation include:

• It induces a deep state of relaxation that can help even the most anxious patients feel at ease. Therefore, it may help to change the way they view dental treatments while at the same time helping them achieve improved oral health.
• The level of sedation can be adjusted throughout the procedure, ensuring that it will not begin to wear off before the proper time.
• The effects take place quickly due to the way the sedation medication is administered.
• IV sedation is generally safe when it is properly administered and patients are appropriately monitored.

Is sedation dentistry worth it? 

If you have a sensitive gag reflex, the sights and sounds of the dental office put you on-edge, or your dental anxiety is severe enough that you avoid getting the essential preventive and restorative dentistry you need, then the answer is a resounding “yes!” Oral conscious sedation and IV sedation are two safe, effective, and reliable calming solutions that can help even the most nervous patients get the dental care they need without the stress.

Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance? 

Oftentimes, dental insurance plans classify sedation dentistry as a “luxury.” As a result, it’s usually an out-of-pocket expense. As always, there are some important exceptions. If the treatment you need is especially complex, like multiple tooth extractions, then your provider may cover a portion of the cost. Similarly, if you have a disability that makes it impossible to get the dental care you need without the help of oral conscious sedation and IV sedation, then it may be included in your benefits. Ultimately, the best thing to do is call your provider directly or get in touch with our Henderson dental team so we can review your benefits.

Does dental sedation make you tell secrets? 

Believe it or not, many patients are curious if their relaxed state will make them tell a secret. The reality is that this is nothing more than a myth. Plus, even if you share something you normally wouldn’t while under dental sedation, you can have peace of mind knowing that it will never go beyond the walls of the treatment room.

Will I remember anything with dental sedation? 

One of the benefits of dental sedation is that it puts you in a deep state of relaxation. With this “twilight” effect, it can be difficult to remember the specifics of your treatment. In other words, while you won’t be asleep, you may forget your procedure. This is often an added benefit because it helps patients form a more positive association with their time in the treatment chair!

How long does dental sedation last? 

That depends! While nitrous oxide wears off within minutes, more powerful sedatives linger for several hours. That’s why you need to arrange for a trusted adult to drive you home from your appointment. In some cases, we recommend taking additional precautions, like taking time off work or not operating heavy machinery for 24 hours after your procedure.