Do you avoid the dentist because of fear, anxiety, and dental phobia? Many people are anxious about dental visits. At Henrich Dental we offer sedation dentistry in Tulsa, OK by appointment only as a simple and effective method to help our patients. We want you to get the dental procedures that you need with a worry-free experience.
Dr. Frank Henrich and our dental care team offer compassionate and patient-focused dentistry in our Tulsa, Ok dentist office. If you have dental fear or anxiety, we can work with you to help you feel comfortable.
How Does Dental Sedation Work?
Sedation dentistry is sometimes called sleep dentistry, but some key differences exist. In some cases such as oral surgery, our certified dental anesthesiologist will use general sedation. General sedation is a technique that induces a state of deep relaxation and sleep.
Our office uses oral conscious sedation. The medications we use for this sedation are safe and have few side effects. The most common side effect is drowsiness, which usually wears off quickly.
With oral conscious sedation, you simply take a pill a few hours before you arrive at our office. This means that you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. You should have a responsible adult accompany you home after treatment. Make sure that you get a lot of rest for a swift recovery.
Taking the medication about an hour before your visit will relax your nerves by the time you arrive. We will go over all instructions with you before you need to take the medication.
Am I a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
You may be a good candidate for sedation if you have anxiety that stops you from getting proper dental care. Whether you have a deep-rooted fear of the dentist or a low pain tolerance, this can be extremely helpful.
Other candidates are children who may not otherwise be able to stay still during dental care. Patients with special needs also qualify for dental sedation. Sedation dentistry may also be right for you if you:
- Have severe tooth sensitivity
- Have a bad gag reflex
- Are fearful of the dentist
- Can’t stay calm because of dental anxiety
- Have a fear of needles or medical equipment
- Experience uncontrollable body movements
Dr. Henrich has extensive experience working with people who feel anxiety about dental visits. We can work with you to deliver the dental care you need in a controlled and comfortable environment. Contact our dentist in Tulsa to learn more about this treatment and whether sedation dentistry is right for you.
What are the Risks of Sedation?
Sedation dentistry helps patients relax during dental procedures, but like any medical treatment, it comes with some risks.
One of the main concerns is how a person’s body might react to the sedative medications. These drugs come in different strengths and can sometimes cause side effects like sleepiness or headaches, or in rare cases, allergic reactions. That’s why we carefully review each patient’s medical history and known allergies.
We must also find the right level of sedation. Since every person responds differently to medication, we must carefully control and monitor the amount given during treatment.
Dr. Henrich and his trained staff members closely watch patients throughout the entire procedure to maintain safety. We use special equipment to track vital signs and make adjustments as needed to prevent complications.
How We Keep Sedation Safe
The best way to stay safe is to pick a skilled dental team that checks your health carefully and follows all safety rules.
Dr. Henrich will review your health history and current medications before treatment. He’ll also ask about allergies or past reactions to medicines. Be honest and share all your health details so we can keep you safe.
Dr. Henrich and the team have special training in sedation dentistry. They know how to handle anesthesia and deal with any problems that might come up. We’ll watch you closely so everything goes smoothly.
We will tell you what to do to prepare and how to take care of yourself afterward. Our office wants to keep you comfortable and safe.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Read answers to common questions about sedation dentistry in our Tulsa, OK, dental office:
What is sleep dentistry?
Sleep dentistry in our Tulsa, OK office is another word for sedation. It can help you can get dental work done while feeling completely relaxed. We recommend this option if you have severe anxiety about dental visits, a strong gag reflex, or need a lot of work done in one visit.
Will dental sedation stop my gag reflex?
If you have a strong gag reflex that makes dental visits uncomfortable, sedation dentistry can help. A strong gag reflex can make simple dental procedures harder. We may recommend sleep dentistry for routine care if you have this problem.
Will I feel anything during my treatment?
The amount you’ll feel during your dental treatment depends on the type of sedation. You will be relaxed but not asleep under oral conscious sedation. You can still follow simple instructions but still feel calm. In many cases, you may not even remember the treatment after the medication wears off.
Can I get sedation if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
We don’t recommend sedation during pregnancy because it could affect your baby. If you are breastfeeding, the medications can pass into your breast milk. We may suggest that you wait to breastfeed for a certain amount of time after your treatment. Always share your full health information so we can keep you safe and healthy.
Will dental insurance cover the cost of sedation dentistry?
Insurance companies don’t cover sedation because it isn’t seen as medically necessary. But we can keep treatment within your budget. Our office accepts Sunbit and CareCredit as financing options.
Get Comfortable Dental Care
Do you need a sedation dentist near Tulsa? Visit Henrich Dental for pain-free care. Schedule an appointment online. You can also call us at (918) 262-4731.
Let us know if you have questions about treatment. We’ll be glad to help.