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7905 East 106th Street Tulsa, OK 74133

Sedation Dentistry Tulsa, OK

Do you dread visiting the dentist because of fear, anxiety, and dental phobia? A lot of people are anxious about seeing the dentist. At Henrich Dental we offer sedation dentistry by appointment only as a simple and effective method to help our patients. Receive the dental procedures that you need 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 safe and effective, 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. 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.

Candidates for Sedation Dentistry

The 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. Patients with special needs also qualify for dental sedation. Sedation dentistry may also be right for you if any of these factors apply:

  • You have severe tooth sensitivity
  • You have an over-active gag reflex
  • You are fearful of the dentist
  • Your dental anxiety prevents you from staying calm
  • You have a fear of needles or medical equipment
  • You 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 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. Patients who have special needs, severe anxiety, or complex procedures can be asleep during their treatment. The use of IV sedation can enable Dr. Henrich to complete many treatments during one visit. Our Tulsa dentist office is the go-to dental practice for dental sedation in the area. This is a fee for service amenity, meaning a deposit will be collected and sedation will not be covered by insurance.

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. Some side-effects include drowsiness, nausea, headache, or 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. So our trained professional will 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, our qualified dental professionals preform all cases of dental sedation safely under supervision. 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 our dentist is crucial. You should disclose your complete medical history including allergies and any previous adverse reactions to medications before undergoing any form of dental sedation.

We will thoroughly assess individual needs and take necessary precautions. Our goal is to 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. At our practice, a deposit is collected prior to the service.

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 have issues with this during treatment. In these cases, we recommend using 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 little from the actual appointment. With IV sedation, you will be completely asleep and will not feel or remember anything from the appointment.

Visit Henrich Dental for pain-free dental experiences with our trusted dentist in Tulsa. Schedule a consultation online, or call us at (918) 262-4731 to get your oral health back on track.