Sedation Dentistry
Dental phobia is a very real issue for some patients. It can range from mild nervousness to extreme anxiety, even over routine visits. Patients who are fearful often neglect their oral health rather than visit the dentist. After years of avoiding cleanings and restorative treatments that keep dental disease at bay, dental phobia patients begin to experience discomfort, pain, severe cavities, and gum disease.
When dental disease is left untreated, it can begin to affect patients in other ways. Gum disease has been clinically shown to have an adverse effect leading to additional health problems. Don’t let dental phobia steal your quality of life. Dr. Cole offers soothing sedation dentistry to help calm fears so you can get the treatment you need.
Types of Sedation Dentistry
Integrity Dental’s sedation dentistry program consists of two methods— nitrous oxide sedation and oral conscious sedation. Each of these sedation methods is proven safe and effective. It is important that you talk with Dr. Cole or one of our caring team members about your level of dental anxiety to help us determine which method of sedation is best for you.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide, better known as “laughing gas,” has been used for well over 100 years to help slightly nervous dental patients feel calmer in the chair, and it’s so safe and gentle that it can be used on adults and children alike. For this method, all a patient has to do is wear a small nasal mask and breathe in the colorless, odorless gas. This will help the patient quickly slip into a deep sense of physical relaxation, and the mask will stay on for the entirety of the appointment. Dr. Cole and our team can actually adjust the amount of nitrous oxide a patient is receiving in order to ensure their comfort.
Once everything is finished and the mask is removed, the effects of the gas wear off almost instantly. A patient won’t feel any leftover drowsiness, so they’ll be able to swiftly go back to their normal day.
Oral Conscious Sedation
For those with more severe dental phobia, don’t worry, we have you covered! With oral conscious sedation, you’ll be prescribed a pill to take about an hour before your scheduled appointment time. That way, by the time you sit in the treatment chair, you’ll be completely physically and mentally relaxed. You’ll still be awake for the entire appointment and able to respond to commands, but time will fly by very quickly, and you’ll likely have little to know memory of your visit afterward (which is perfect for some patients!).
Due to the strength of oral conscious sedation, it is required that a friend or family member drive you to and from the office the day of your appointment as well as keep an eye on you for a few hours afterward. You should feel completely normal by the next morning at the latest.
How to Make Sedation Dentistry Affordable
Many patients would love to have sedation during their dental appointments, but they are concerned about the additional cost. Fortunately, we have a number of ways that can make these treatments much more affordable.
Firstly, we are in-network providers with many major PPO insurance plans, and our team will work with you to make sure you’re getting the most out of your benefits. Sedation itself is usually not covered by insurance, but we can use your plan to help offset the cost by drastically reducing the amount you’ll pay for the dental procedure you want sedation for.
Or, we can also offer you flexible, low-to-no interest financing with CareCredit or CitiHealth. With one of their plans, you can break up the out-of-pocket-cost of your care into much smaller monthly payments. In any case, just let us know if you’re worried about paying for sedation, and we’ll work with you to find a solution.
Enjoy Dental Care Without the Stress
Thanks to your sedation dentist in Farmington, you now have nothing holding you back from getting the dental care that you need. Whether you need a general or restorative dentistry procedure, Dr. Cole can help you feel at ease. Let us change your mind about dental visits and show you just how relaxing they can really be. Contact us for your appointment today, and make sure to mention you would like to discuss sedation dentistry.