New Patients (918) 262-4731

Current Patients (918) 528-6555

7905 East 106th Street Tulsa, OK 74133

In an effort to help protect the health and wellness of all our patients and staff, we have decided to elevate our office safety precautions. Please read our new guidelines prior to your next appointment.

A Message From Dr. Henrich Regarding COVID-19

Sedation Dentistry Tulsa, OK

Sedation Dentistry An Overview

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.

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. Visit our office to learn more about your options.

How Does Dental Sedation Work?

Sedation dentistry is often referred to as sleep dentistry, but there are some important differences. In some cases, general sedation is required, and it will be administered by a Dental Anesthesiologist. In most cases, though, we will use conscious sedation, where you simply take some medication to help you relax before you arrive at the office. (This means you’ll need someone to drive you to or from your appointment.) If you take the medication about an hour before your visit, you’ll be fully relaxed by the time you arrive.

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 administered via nasal spray to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Be sure to ask Dr. Henrich about this during your visit if you are interested and he can go over treatment options with you. There are several levels of sedation, and at Henrich Dental we will always discuss your concerns to determine what will work best for you.

Sedation Dentistry What to Expect

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 for Dentistry

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.

Sedation Dentistry FAQs

Is sedation dentistry covered by dental insurance?

Most dental insurance plans will not cover the use of sedation for dental treatments. It is not seen 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 is used for many reasons including 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 being used. Conscious sedation will put you into a deep state of relaxation, but you won’t be completely asleep. 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. The short answer is yes, but you most likely won’t remember it. With IV sedation, you will be completely asleep and will not remember anything from the appointment.