Do you dread visiting the dentist for fear and anxiety? A lot of people are anxious about seeing the dentist. At Henrich Dental we offer sedation dentistry as a simple and effective method to help our patients overcome those concerns. Receive the procedures that you need to improve the function and appearance of your teeth, with a worry-free experience at Henrich Dental.
Dr. Frank Henrich and our dental care team offer compassionate, patient-focused dentistry in our Tulsa, Ok dentist office. If you are dealing with dental fear or anxiety, we can work with you to help you feel comfortable during your appointment. We offer a full range of services and amenities to help you achieve a healthier smile. Continue reading and visit our office to learn more about your options.
How Does Dental Sedation Work?
Sedation dentistry is sometimes called sleep dentistry, but there are some key differences. In some cases such as oral surgery, our certified dental anesthesiologist will administer general sedation. General sedation is a technique that induces a state of deep relaxation and sleep.
However, in most cases our dental office will use oral-conscious sedation. The medications we use for oral-conscious sedation are very safe and have few side-effects. The most common side effect is drowsiness, which usually wears off relatively quickly.
With oral-conscious sedation, you simply take some medication to help you relax before you arrive at our office. This means that you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment. It is essential for our patients to have a responsible adult accompany them home after treatment and ensure proper rest and recovery.
Taking the medication about an hour before your visit will relax your nerves by the time you arrive. We will go over all instructurns with you before you need to take the medication.
As an added bonus, Dr. Henrich now has a needle-free alternative to offer as a treatment option for his patients who may have a phobia of needles. Kovanaze is the first no-needle regional, pulpal anesthetic! The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves it’s use as well. We administer Kovanaze via nasal spray.
Be sure to ask Dr. Henrich about Kovanaze during your visit, and he can go over treatment options with you. We will always discuss your concerns and sedation options before administering them to determine what will work best for you at Henrich Dental.
Candidates for Sedation Dentistry
The most common candidates for sedation dentistry are those who have anxieties that are stopping them 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 a dental procedure and those patients with special needs. Sedation dentistry may also be right for you if any of these factors apply:
- Tooth sensitivity
- An over-active gag reflex
- Fear of the dentist
- Dental anxiety
- Fear of needles
- Experience uncontrollable body movements
Dr. Henrich has extensive experience working with people who feel anxiety about visiting the dentist. We can work with you to deliver the dental care you need in a controlled, comfortable environment. Contact our dentist in Tulsa, OK today to learn more about this treatment and whether sedation dentistry is right for you.
IV Sedation at Henrich Dental
Dr. Henrich works with a local certified anesthesiologist to offer the comfort and convenience of IV sedation in our Tulsa dentist office. Patients who have special needs, severe anxiety or complex procedures can be asleep in the dentist chair during their treatment. When multiple treatments are necessary, the use of IV sedation can enable Dr. Henrich to complete all during one visit.
What are the risks of sedation dentistry?
One of the primary risks of sedation dentistry is the possibility of adverse reactions to the sedative medications. These medications can vary in strength and may cause side effects such as drowsiness, nausea, headache, or even allergic reactions in some individuals. It is crucial for both patients and dental professionals to carefully evaluate medical histories and allergies before administering any sedatives.
Another risk associated with sedation dentistry is the potential for over-sedation or inadequate monitoring during the procedure. Each patient has different tolerance levels for sedation, and it requires a trained professional to accurately administer and monitor the dosage throughout the treatment. In rare cases, excessive sedation can lead to complications such as respiratory depression or cardiovascular problems.
Although these risks exist, it’s important to note that we preform most cases of dental sedation safely under appropriate supervision by qualified dental professionals. Dr. Henrich and our team have specialized training in administering anesthesia and managing potential complications.
To minimize risks associated with sedation dentistry, open communication between you and your dentist is crucial. Patients should disclose their complete medical history including allergies and any previous adverse reactions to medications before undergoing any form of dental sedation.
By thoroughly assessing individual needs and taking necessary precautions, we can improve our patients’ comfort level during dental procedures while minimizing potential risks.
Dental Sedation FAQs
Will dental insurance cover the cost of sedation dentistry?
Most dental insurance plans will not cover the use of sedation for dental treatments. Insurance companies do not see it as a necessity for routine dental care. However, if you require oral surgery, then your insurance will most likely cover sedation for that.
Will dental sedation stop my gag reflex?
Yes! Dental sedation can temporarily stop a strong gag reflex. Dentist appointments and suffering from a strong gag reflex is a bad combination. Some people even suffer from anxiety knowing they are going to issues with this during treatment. In these cases, we recommend the use of dental sedation to help you get the dental care you need.
Will I feel anything during my treatment?
This depends on the type of sedation your dentist will use. Oral-conscious sedation will put you into a deep state of relaxation, but won’t put you completely to sleep. You will be able move and breathe independently and respond to basic commands. Once the sedation wears off, you may remember very little from the actual appointment, if anything at all. With IV sedation, you will be completely asleep and will not feel or remember anything from the appointment.