Sedation Dentistry in Grove City, OH
If you’re nervous about going to the dentist, you’re not alone. In fact, millions of Americans avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety or fear. But at GCCD, we want to help put your mind at ease and make sure you get the dental care you need and deserve. That’s why we offer sedation dentistry.
Sedation dentistry, also sometimes called sleep dentistry, is a way of helping patients relax during dental procedures. We offer different types of sedation depending on your needs and level of anxiety. Whether you’re getting a simple cleaning or a more complex procedure, we can help you relax and feel comfortable.
If you’re ready to take the first step towards better dental health, contact us today to learn more about our sedation dentistry options. We can’t wait to help you get the smile you’ve always wanted!
What is sedation or sleep dentistry?
Sedation, sometimes called ‘sleep dentistry, is a procedure where your dentist administers a drug or a combination of sedatives to help you relax before and during your dental appointment. Dr. Lowe or Dr. Simone may choose gas, oral, or IV sedatives to reduce anxiety and pain sensitivity.
If seeing your dentist for a routine appointment makes you nervous, you might want to consider sedation.
The benefits of sedation dentistry
Sedation dentistry makes dental procedures more comfortable for you. It is helpful for people with dental anxiety or those undergoing lengthy treatment.
Whether your Dr. Lowe or Dr. Simone gives you oral sedation, inhaled sedation such as nitrous oxide (laughing gas), IV sedation, and even general anesthesia, you will benefit from them in the following ways:
Anxiety Relief
Sedation dentistry helps you feel calm, relaxed, and at ease during dental procedures. So, if you’re a nervous patient, you can finally relax in the dentist’s chair, and the entire procedure can be completed with little stress or interruption.
Pain-Free Experience
Sedation dentistry helps you feel calm, relaxed, and at ease during dental procedures. So, if you’re a nervous patient, you can finally relax in the dentist’s chair, and the entire procedure can be completed with little stress or interruption.
Pain-Free Experience
A patient’s dental anxiety can often make it impossible for our dental team to complete all the necessary dental work in one visit. With sedation dentistry, Dr. Simone or Dr. Lowe can complete more work in fewer appointments, eliminating the need for multiple visits.
The types of sedation available
There are varying levels of sedation dentistry available to meet your unique needs. Your anxiety level, procedure length, health history, and personal preferences all play a part in determining the type of sedation your dentist should give you. The most common types of sedation dentistry include the following:
Laughing Gas
Nitrous Oxide, sometimes called laughing gas, doesn’t really make you giggle throughout your dental procedure. It simply makes you feel less anxious, so you won’t worry about your actual treatment. A major benefit of using Nitrous Oxide is that you aren’t completely “out” or “under” during your procedure. You are just relaxed. And, because of the short-lasting effect of Nitrous Oxide, you will be able to drive yourself home from your appointment.
Just like oral conscious sedation, we may also administer a local anesthetic at the procedure site.
Oral Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is the most common technique used today to help alleviate patient’s fears of going to the dentist. This technique requires no needles and helps patients to relax and feel comfortable during a procedure.
During Oral Conscious Sedation, we prescribe a pill you will take before your appointment or as you arrive at our office. With conscious sedation, you will begin to relax and may feel absolutely no anxiety during your procedure.
We will require you to arrange transportation to and from the office since you can feel a bit woozy for a while after taking this medication.
Local Anesthetic
Local anesthetic includes the small local injections we need to make around the surgical area. A “local anesthetic helps to temporarily block pain impulses from the affected teeth and gum tissue.
For patients who fear the dentist or a procedure, we may combine oral conscious sedation with a local anesthetic. This means we may prescribe a pill for you to take prior to your appointment to relax you, and then use a local anesthetic where needed.
Is sedation dentistry right for me?
Through sedation dentistry, many patients have been able to restore their oral health and overcome their fears of even the most extensive dental procedures. Certainly, sedation dentistry can help patients of all ages feel more relaxed during dental procedures, but is it the best option for you?
Sedation dentistry may be right for you if:
- You avoid dental visits due to anxiety
- You have a sensitive gag reflex
- You require extensive dental work to be performed
- You have a fear of needles and can’t sit still on a dentist’s chair
- You are unable to keep your mouth open for an extended period
If you live in Grove City, OH, and want to learn if sedation dentistry is right for you, contact of our dental staff at Grove City Center for Dentistry today!
How to find a qualified sedation dentist
Standard dental training does not cover sedation dentistry in great detail, so for us to be competent in this area, Dr. Simone and Dr. Lowe complete additional specialized training and obtain the relevant certifications allowing them to administer and manage sedatives to facilitate dental procedures.
Experience and Training Credentials
Standard dental training does not cover sedation dentistry in great detail, so for us to be competent in this area, Dr. Simone and Dr. Lowe complete additional specialized training and obtain the relevant certifications allowing them to administer and manage sedatives to facilitate dental procedures.
Access and Availability
A dental office’s proximity to your home or workplace is crucial if you want easy access. Do they accept new patients, and do they have enough office hours? If you live in Grove City, OH, or the surrounding areas, you should consider visiting Grove City Center for Dentistry.
Caring and Compassionate
A dentist can have all the qualifications and experience in the world, but if they don’t reassure you and connect with you when you meet, you will never feel truly relaxed in their care. Gentle and experienced dentists, like Dr.’s Simone and Lowe, can make all the difference in your comfort level before, during, and after the treatment.
FAQs about sedation dentistry
There is always a risk associated with undergoing anesthesia, but it is usually safe when administered by experienced dentists. However, people with obstructive sleep apnea or who are overweight should consult their primary care doctor before getting sedated because they are more likely to develop anesthesia-related complications.
Some conditions, such as diabetes, respiratory diseases, cardiac disease, and hypertension, may necessitate a physician’s clearance before undergoing certain types of sedation. Before proceeding, your dentist will take a thorough health history and physical examination; if required, a home care product will be recommended.
Recovery times vary depending on the type of sedation you receive and how your body responds to the medications. Patients who get nitrous oxide typically recover within 15 to 30 minutes and can drive themselves home following their appointment. Those who choose oral conscious sedation or local anesthesia usually need about 24 hours to recover fully.
At The Grove City Center for Dentistry, we perform many procedures each year that require dental anesthesia. We use the most technologically advanced monitoring systems to deliver safe, effective anesthesia in a state-of-the-art facility. We are highly trained and completely equipped to handle emergency situations should they arise.
Dr. Bryan Simone and his highly trained team and are certified in Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS).
During your consultation, we will review your medical history with you and complete a physical examination to help us determine which anesthetic solution is the safest option for you. Our goal is to provide you with the best dental care with the confidence and comfort you need to undergo your procedure with our practice.