Sedation Dentistry
Dr Bruce and Dr Fernandez, are specially trained to provide a relaxing and anxiety-free experience for certain people receiving dental treatment. It enables individuals too afraid to go to the dentist to receive the dental care they need while avoiding the common apprehension known as dental phobia.
According to DOCS Education, 30 percent of the population avoids the dentist due to fear. This all-too-common “dental phobia” prevents people from receiving necessary routine dental care, potentially compromising the health and functionality of the mouth and smile.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Some of the major benefits of sedation dentistry are:
 “Only a Few Minutes”. People often feel like their dental procedure lasts only a few minutes, when in fact it might have taken hours to perform. Therefore, complex dental procedures such as smile makeovers or extensive rebuilding procedures that normally require multiple visits can often be performed in fewer appointments.
“No More Anxiety”. If you are reluctant to change the appearance of your smile because you are afraid or anxious about undergoing long or complicated dental procedures, sedation dentistry can make you feel comfortable during the treatment process and help you achieve a smile you can be proud of.
“No More Neglecting Your Oral Health” Because sedation dentistry addresses some of the fears that keep people from going to the dentist on a regular basis, sedation dentistry patients are more likely to receive recommended routine care. As a result, they are less likely to neglect their oral health or allow oral health problems to build to the point when drastic dental treatments become necessary.
What is Sedation?
Sedation is a process used to establish a relaxed, easy and calm state through the use of sedatives. Sedative drugs (tranquillizers, depressants, anti-anxiety medications, nitrous oxide, etc.) can be administered in a variety of ways. In the past, intravenous (IV) sedation — sedatives delivered via intravenous injection to the hand or arm — was predominantly used to produce a sedated state for dental treatment.
Cast aside your dental phobias through sedation dentistry.
IV sedation is both safe and effective when administered by a trained professional. Today, however, sedation dentistry has evolved to be even more conducive to a relaxing experience. Patients have alternatives to traditional modalities (such as inhalation nitrous oxide or “laughing gas” and intravenous sedation IVs) that offer a "no needle” (meaning, “no IV” injection)" approach that many patients find more accommodating.
Oral Sedation Dentistry is now the most common technique used in the U.S. and Canada to quell the fears of patients. The technique is easy and requires no needles in order for patients to become totally relaxed. Best of all, the medications used create such a comfortable experience that most patients do not remember the visit; it is as if they slept through the treatment. In reality, oral sedation dentistry maintains a level of consciousness in the patient for safety and cooperation.
Regardless of the type of sedation dentistry you receive, it is important to have a responsible caregiver accompany you to the procedure (and drive you there if you must take oral medication before arriving for your appointment), drive you home after the procedure is complete and stay with you for an additional two to four hours at home.
Sleep Dentistry or Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry has occasionally been dubbed sleep dentistry, but this term is misleading. In actual fact, you do not sleep during the procedure, but because of the effects produced by the sedative, you may feel sleepy. Sedation dentistry enables you to be kept awake throughout the entire procedure, but you will feel comfortable, relaxed and likely won’t remember much about your treatment. The use of general anesthesia is not considered sedation dentistry.
Does Insurance Cover Sedation Dentistry?
According to DOCS Education, insurance companies do not pay for sedation; however, there are non-intravenous sedation procedure codes that might be applicable to your treatment. For example, if you are undergoing periodontal scaling and root planing of all four quadrants of your mouth, insurance companies may cover the costs of this procedure if it is completed in one appointment if you are sedated, rather than requiring you to stretch out the procedure to four separate appointments.
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