Sedation Dentistry – New Bedford, MA
Worried About Your Visit? We’ll Help You Relax
About 36% of people in the United States are believed to suffer from dental anxiety or fear to some degree. Some of these people let their worries get the better of them and avoid dental care altogether. But at Sound Dentistry, there’s no reason to be afraid. Our team can provide sedation whenever necessary to calm your nerves and complete your treatment while you stay completely relaxed. If you’re interested in having an appointment using sedation dentistry in New Bedford, MA, call us today.
Why Choose Sound Dentistry for Sedation Dentistry?
- Outstanding, Caring Dental Team
- Highly Relaxing Oral Sedation
- State-of-the-Art Dental Office
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
With oral conscious sedation, overcoming your anxiety is as simple as taking the pill. You’ll need to take the medication before you arrive at our dental office, so make arrangements for someone else to drive you to and from your appointment. While under the effects of the sedative, you’ll be conscious enough to answer questions and follow basic commands, but you’ll be in a state of complete peace; you won’t care about what’s going on around you, and you’ll have little to no memory of the procedure afterwards.
Oral Conscious Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Will I Remember Anything with Oral Conscious Sedation?
As the name would suggest, you’re going to be awake for the duration of the procedure under the influence of oral conscious sedation. However, despite being fully cognizant of your surroundings, it’s common for people not to remember much of their procedure.
This is more common the stronger that the sedative is. If you’re receiving a higher dose of sedation before your procedure, you may leave the dentist’s office with very few memories of what transpired. For some patients this is ideal, while for others this only increases your anxiety. Talk to us about your preference and we’ll be happy to adjust the dose of your medication to accommodate you as best we can.
Is Sedation Dentistry Covered by Insurance?
In many situations, sedation dentistry is qualified by insurance companies as an additional luxury. This means that they’re generally unwilling to cover its cost. Most patients will have to pay for their sedatives out of pocket and should therefore think about how they’re going to fit into your budget.
However, there are some exceptions. Patients with disabilities that make staying still for the duration of treatment difficult or impossible might depend on sedatives to get the care that they need. For this reason, sedation dentistry is often covered for these patients. The same goes for exceedingly long and complex procedures that are infeasible without the use of sedatives. For that reason, it’s always a good idea to check with your insurance company to see if you’re going to be able to get your care reimbursed.
How Long Does Dental Sedation Last?
Oral conscious sedatives are taken before you attend your appointment and are intended to keep you relaxed throughout the duration of it. This being the case, they need to stay if your system for a long time in order to be fully effective.
While the effects of the sedative will gradually weaken after you leave your appointment, you will probably continue to feel it for the rest of the day. For this reason, it’s incredibly important that you have someone drive you both to and from your dental appointment, and that you avoid operating any kind of heavy machinery for the rest of the day.
Can Dental Sedation Make You Sick?
There’s some risk of nausea associated with any kind of sedation, and it becomes more acute the stronger that your dental sedative is. If you’re receiving a higher dose of oral conscious sedation, or even just a moderate one, it’s generally a good idea to fast for a while before your procedure to mitigate this risk.
You should also let us know if you’re unusually prone to nausea. We may be able to give you an anti-nausea drug along with your prescribed sedative or tweak the dosage of the sedative that you’re taking in order to ensure your comfort.