Sedation Clinics
We see nervous patients every single day here at Dental Wellness of Lexington, but thanks to sedation dentistry, we’re able to help even the most anxious enjoy relaxing appointments. Our dentists are members of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation, meaning they have put a lot of time and effort into learning about the best ways to soothe patients so they can receive their necessary care without unnecessary stress. If just the thought of going to the dentist is enough to make you or your child feel tense, be sure to give us a call and ask how sedation could be used at your next appointment.
Sedation Dentistry – Lexington, KY
Enjoy Stress-Free Dental Visits
Why Choose Dental Wellness of Lexington for Sedation Dentistry?
- Members of the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation
- Recognized by other dentists as experts in dental sedation
- Decades of experience helping patients overcome dental phobia
What Exactly is Sedation Dentistry?
Dental phobia is a real problem that causes millions of Americans to miss out on their much-needed dental care every year. In many cases, this allows relatively minor problems to turn into painful emergencies, leading to even more anxiety associated with the dentist’s office. Sometimes, a dental infection can become so bad that it impacts a person’s overall health! Sedation dentistry enables our team to help patients overcome this initial fear and feel calm in the chair so they can get what they need to enjoy optimal oral health and a beautiful smile. Whether someone is afraid of routine checkups and cleanings or is in need of more involved care, sedation can be used to make absolutely anyone feel comfortable.
Who Could Benefit From Sedation Dentistry?
We typically recommend sedation dentistry for patients who:
- Experience mild to moderate dental phobia
- Feel nervous being around the sights and sounds of a dental office
- Have had a traumatic experience at the dentist in the past
- Are in need of an extensive procedure
- Want to have multiple procedures completed in one appointment to save time
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Have chronic jaw/neck/back pain that makes sitting for an entire appointment impossible
Benefits of Sedation
You will find that by agreeing to receive sedation during your upcoming appointment, you will experience a more enjoyable visit that doesn’t leave you full of angst. Our sedation dentist in Lexington wants you to be confident and comfortable when pursuing necessary oral healthcare, which is why you will discover there are many great benefits that come with sedation dentistry, some of which include:
Your Dentist Can Work More Effectively and Efficiently
When fearful of what is to come during your appointment, you will likely find yourself moving around a bit more than usual, causing your dentist to have difficulty completing your treatment in a timely manner. However, when you receive nitrous oxide or IV sedation, your dentist in Lexington will be able to work more efficiently without worrying about you wincing or squirming in the chair. Instead, you’ll be fully relaxed and comfortable, allowing us to be most effective in providing optimal oral healthcare each time you visit.
Pain-Free Appointments
If fear of pain is what is keeping you from seeking regular dental care, you’ll be pleased to learn that sedation dentistry is the key to reducing this dental phobia. No one likes the idea of being poked or prodded, especially with needles or other sharp instruments; however, when provided sedation, you can expect to enter into a uniquely relaxed state that eliminates the possibility of feeling any pain throughout your procedure. Before treatment even begins, we will make sure you feel nothing at all so that we are confident in moving forward without causing you any discomfort.
Fear and Anxiety Are Significantly Reduced
Whether it is a fear of needles, a traumatic experience that causes you to run the other way when hearing the word “dentist,” or the sights and sounds that fill a dentist’s office, these dental phobias are real. Fortunately, at Dental Wellness of Lexington, we will not only validate these concerns, but we’ll offer solutions to mitigate them in the future. With sedation, you will feel less worried about your appointment the moment it is administered. Instead of fearing what will happen during your appointment, you’ll remain in a dream-like state that allows you to remain cognizant enough to respond to cues but completely calm to avoid possible anxiety.
Calming Your Gag Reflex
It can be hard letting a dentist work inside your mouth when your gag reflex is continually triggered. To reduce the potential for complications and keep you safe throughout your appointment, sedation can be used to relax these oral spasms. This will allow us to complete the work needed to take care of a particular tooth or your soft oral tissues. Even if a regular dental checkup and cleaning cause you to gag, we can make this type of visit more manageable with the help of sedation.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide goes by a more well-known name—laughing gas—and has been used by dentists around the world for generations to help patients reduce their dental-related anxiety. All a patient has to do is inhale this colorless, odorless gas through a small nasal mask to quickly feel the tension leave their body. The mask remains on for the entire appointment, and once it’s removed, a patient should feel completely normal within a few minutes. This means they can quickly resume their day without interruption.
Learn More About Nitrous Oxide Sedation
IV Sedation
IV sedation can help even the most fearful patient feel calm and safe in the dentist’s office. Dr. Feck is recognized as an expert nationwide when it comes to this treatment, and he has taught Clinics about it to other dentists around the country for decades. With this, a sedative is administered directly into the bloodstream to help a patient become deeply relaxed very quickly. Most patients remain awake, but some are able to just fall asleep during their appointment. While a patient is under, our team can actually adjust their sedative level to ensure they remain comfortable each and every moment.
What to Expect Before Getting Dental Sedation
If you would like to use sedation at your next appointment, just let our team know, and then we can discuss your options. Our recommendations will be based on your level of anxiety as well as your medical history. Be sure to let us know about any medications you are regularly taking. We can also make other accommodations if they will help your appointment go smoother—just let us know if certain instruments or sounds trigger your fear. Our goal is for you to walk into our office and know that you have absolutely nothing to worry about.
Nitrous oxide sedation is so gentle that it can be administered with little to no prep, but IV sedation is a bit more involved. If you’re nervous about needles, our team can prescribe you a pill to take the day of your appointment that should help you become partially sedated even before you reach our office. In this situation, we require that a friend or family member drive you to your appointment. We may advise that you avoid eating for about 8-10 hours before your procedure as well to curtail any possible nausea.
What to Expect After Dental Sedation
As we touched on above, nitrous oxide sedation has no lingering effects, so the only thing you may experience after your appointment is some numbness due to local anesthesia. We recommend not eating until this has worn off so you don’t accidentally bite your lips, cheeks, or tongue.
With IV sedation, you should plan to have a trusted person drive you home from the office the day of your appointment and keep an eye on you for a few hours afterwards. You’ll likely feel very drowsy for the rest of the day, but by the next morning, the sedation should have worn off.
Participate in Our IV Sedation Education Course & Get Complimentary Dental Work
Dr. Feck regularly teaches award-winning seminars about IV sedation to dentists around the country, and patients in Lexington have the opportunity to participate in them in order to get free dental work. This program is only for qualifying patients, and spots will be given based on availability and need. As part of the course, you can have a procedure performed while under IV sedation without spending a dime, and you’ll be helping other dentists learn how to do the same.
To learn more about this program and see if you qualify, give us a call today.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
At Dental Wellness of Lexington, we are committed to helping you enjoy
stress-free dental visits. If you have questions or concerns about your
sedation options or any of our treatments, we’re here to put your mind
at ease from
just a phone call away. In the meantime, we invite you to look over the following frequently
asked questions to learn more about sedation dentistry.
Will I Feel Anything During My Treatment with Sedation Dentistry?
With sedation dentistry, it’s highly unlikely that you’ll feel anything during your treatment. You may notice some slight pressure in your mouth every now and then as we work, but you’ll be oblivious to all the sights, sounds, and smells that could otherwise cause you anxiety.
Will Sedation Dentistry Put Me to Sleep?
Most patients don’t remember anything about their procedure with sedation dentistry afterwards, and many are still very groggy after IV sedation. This leads many people to think that they were put to sleep or unconscious during their treatment. However, this isn’t exactly true. While some patients will become so relaxed that they’ll drift off to sleep, they can easily be awakened at any time. You will remain conscious all throughout your appointment, usually enough so that you can respond to basic questions.
How Safe Is Sedation Dentistry?
When administered by an experienced and highly trained Lexington sedation dentist like Dr. Feck, sedation dentistry is completely safe. In fact, Dr. Feck is widely considered an expert and leading authority in sedation dentistry! His passion for helping high-fear patients get the care they need led him to co-find the prestigious, nationally recognized Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS). He has personally trained over 10,000 dentists from across the US in the art and science of sedation dentistry. When you come visit us for treatment, you can rest assured that your smile is in good hands!
How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?
Since there are so many influencing factors, there isn’t a set price for sedation dentistry. The cost of these calming services will largely depend on which type of sedation you’re interested in and how much of it you’ll be needing. Most dental insurance plans will cover a portion of sedation dentistry and our talented team will ensure that your benefits are maximized. We’re also proud to offer low- to no-interest financing through CareCredit and Lending Club. These third-party companies can help you break up the cost of your treatment into affordable payments.
Who Isn’t a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Thankfully, nearly everyone can benefit from some form of sedation dentistry if needed. However, it’s not a good choice for all patients. We’ll carefully review your medical history, current health, and list of medications to determine if you’re a good candidate. Sedation dentistry may not be right for patients who are:
- Very young or of very advanced age
- Pregnant
- Allergic to certain medications
- Currently experiencing nasal congestion
- Taking certain medications
- Prone to sleep apnea, chronic bronchitis, or respiratory disease