Dental Sedation: The Anxiety-Free Option for In-Office Procedures

Many people feel anxious about visiting the dentist – or avoid it completely – because they worry about experiencing pain and discomfort. Fortunately, dental sedation services can make it a less daunting experience. Sedation dentistry has become quite common over the past few years, and the various styles of dental sedation available today have made it easier for people to overcome their dental anxiety and get their dental problems fixed.

But what exactly is dental sedation? How does a dentist administer it? And what are the associated costs? Keep reading to find out

What is sedation dentistry?

Dental sedation (aka sleep dentistry) is an important component of general anesthesia. It includes a range of different techniques that are used by dentists to calm patients or make them more comfortable.

One example that you've probably heard of is laughing gas (nitrous oxide), which dentists use on their patients for dental procedures such as root canals and getting new crowns.

However, sedation dentistry includes so much more than laughing gas, with a multitude of options for patients with dental anxiety.

How does sedation dentistry work?

There are different methods used for dental sedation, each with its own purpose and strength. Your dentist will choose the most appropriate of them for your situation, based on certain factors. These include:

• The dental procedure being performed (for example, removal of wisdom teeth)
• The duration of the dental procedure
• Your level of dental anxiety

According to the American Dental Association, a dentist may choose to induce any one of the following forms of sedation:

• Minimal sedation, in which patients are awake but in a relaxed state
• Moderate sedation, in which patients are conscious but may experience slurring of speech and slight memory loss
• Deep sedation, in which patients are at the verge of unconsciousness but can still be awakened
• General anesthesia, in which patients are completely unconscious

Drugs used for dental sedation

Prior to performing a procedure, the sedation dentist has to choose the appropriate type of dental anesthesia to calm the patient. While some of these types can make the patients completely unconscious, others like oral sedation may only relax them without knocking them out completely.

The most common types of sedation used in dental procedures include the following:

Inhalation sedation (gas and air)

Nitrous oxide is an agent that is inhaled by the patients in order to relax. The effects of nitrous oxide wear off quickly, so you may be able to return to your regular schedule after leaving the dentist's office.     

Oral sedation

Oral sedation includes the use of medicines that can be taken via the mouth, such as diazepam. Most dentists instruct the patients to swallow the pills approximately 60 minutes before the appointment.

These oral pills will make you less anxious and a bit sleepy but you will still be aware and able to communicate with the dentist throughout, which is why it is known as conscious sedation.

Intravenous sedation

Intravenous or IV sedation is an important component of sedation dentistry and includes drugs that may put the patients into varying stages of consciousness. General anesthesia is also a part of the IV sedation dentistry which may induce a deep sleep until the effects wear off. This is generally only used for extensive dental procedures such as complicated or multiple extractions (especially in young children) and also some kinds of dental surgery.

Some common pharmacological agents used for IV sedation include diazepam, midazolam, and lorazepam.

How long does dental sedation last?

The exact duration for the effects of a dental sedative to wear off depends on the form of sedation used, the dose used, the duration of treatment, and the ability of the body to recover. The clinician carefully plans and administers the right amount of sedative for your situation.

While nitrous oxide wears off minutes after inhalation stops, oral and IV sedation take at least 1-2 hours to wear off and often much longer.

Sedation dentistry safety

Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for patients who suffer from dental anxiety and have to go through long dental procedures that require them to sit in a dental chair for hours. Yet, many patients get concerned about the safety of using a dental sedative and what to expect after taking one.

To eradicate your concerns about the safety of using a dental sedative, it is important to understand what to expect after receiving one. While you must discuss the specifics with a dentist, the following general guidelines should be kept in mind.

Before sedation

Before the beginning of the procedure, it is important to avoid eating or drinking for six hours before a sedative is administered. This will reduce the chances of food regurgitation and obstruction of the airways while you are under the effects of anesthesia.

The dentist will then choose an appropriate form of sedation to begin the process. If you have high anxiety levels, you may be advised to use a calming pill prior to the appointment. The dentist may ask your permission to intubate you and give you monitoring devices to keep a check on your vital signs during sedation.

During sedation

As soon as the dentist administers the sedative, it will enter your bloodstream and make you feel relaxed, calm, and a bit lightheaded. You may feel like your arms and legs have gotten heavier too. Before long, you will be too numb to feel any pain, and the dentist can then proceed with the procedure.

After sedation

You might have to stay at the clinic for some time following the procedure in order for your recovery to be monitored. The effects of anesthesia will usually wear off within half an hour; however, you may still feel lightheaded and drowsy for a few hours. Therefore, you should make sure that you have someone to accompany you home and, if possible, stay with you until you feel back to normal.

It's advisable not to do any of the following until the next day after your dental treatment:

• Drive any vehicle or ride a bicycle
• Exercise
• Return to work
• Drink alcohol
• Smoke or use any kind of nicotine products
• Take sleeping tablets
• Use any machinery, home appliances, or sharp utensils
• Cook or heat anything in the kitchen, including water for a cup of tea or coffee
• Make important decisions, including financial transactions

Let's see the process of IV dental sedation on Deanna; a patient who's going to have a tooth extraction.

Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?

Having any of the following fears may make you a good candidate for dental sedation:

• Anxiety of visiting a dentist
• Fear of shots or needles
• History of a traumatic dental experience
• Inability to handle noises or smells in a dentist's office
• Having sensitive teeth
• Need of a complex treatment

Is sedation dentistry covered by dental insurance?

Normally, general anesthesia is covered by your insurance plan as it is often a medical necessity for the patient to be in a state of unconsciousness during the procedure. For more information, you may talk to your insurance plan provider to confirm the coverage and acquire a pre-approval if possible.

Your insurance plan may also cover dental sedation if you have a medical condition or a certain disability that requires proper sedation prior to performing any dental procedure. Some insurance plans cover a patient with a medical diagnosis of extreme dental phobia.

Remember that the majority of dental insurance policies cover treatment costs of $1,000 to $1,500 per year, and the fee for your dental treatment along with the cost of sedation may go over this coverage. Therefore, it is advised to take a look at various dental saving plans beforehand.

Sedation dentistry cost

The costs associated with dental sedation vary according to the chosen method. Some of these have been summarized in the table below.

Conscious sedation side effects

After intravenous or oral sedation, it's normal to feel drowsy, possibly for the rest of the day. You should take the precautions described above to stay safe during this time. You may also experience some bruising in your arm or hand from the injection, but this should disappear within a few days.

The risk of other sedation side effects is very low. In some very rare cases, patients experience an allergic reaction or vomiting. Tell your dentist if you have any history of allergies to medicine. Your dentist will explain the risks and answer any questions you have before proceeding with any kind of sedation dentistry.

Conclusion

If you are particularly worried about an upcoming dental procedure, inquire about dental sedation from your dentist. Dental sedation will make you feel calmer before getting in the dentist's chair, and will help you relax during your treatment. You might not remember much of it at all, and the idea of returning to the dentist will feel less daunting. You'll also probably feel a great sense of relief at having finally got the dental treatment you have been putting off!

FAQs

Will I feel anything during my dental treatment after dental sedation?

In most cases, patients do not feel a thing. Some may feel slight discomfort, and at the end of the appointment, most are relaxed with no memory of the procedure.

Is sedation dentistry safe for children?

Yes, pediatric sedation dentistry is just as safe as adult sedation dentistry. It is routinely performed in multiple clinical settings, so there is no need to worry.

Contributors:

Dr. Junaid Tariq

Dr. Junaid Tariq is a medical doctor and professional content creator and copywriter. In addition to working as a part-time content creator, Dr. Tariq continues to fulfill his duties as a medical doctor at a local hospital and has acquired hands-on experience in both acute and chronic patient care. From white papers to blogs, Dr. Tariq simplifies complex scientific concepts into basic terms to create something easily accessible to the majority. His medical knowledge includes general medicine, dentistry, medical manufacturing, pharmacy, nursing, optometry, chiropractic, plastic surgery, and emergency care, among others.