One of the most common reasons that patients have for avoiding the dentist is fear or anxiety. Sometimes these feelings of anxiety are rooted in the past. Other times, patients experience them because they have a sensitive gag reflex, or they have trouble sitting or holding their mouth open for a long period of time. All of this often results in appointments being put off or avoided completely.
But when you don’t visit the dentist regularly because of dental anxiety, your oral health suffers. Over time, this kind of neglect can lead to tooth loss, disease, and health problems in other parts of your body.
Still, we understand that your fears are very real, and we want to help you address them and even overcome them. You deserve dental care that considers your emotional as well as physical needs. With sedation dentistry, team at South Shore Dental Care can help you feel more relaxed during any dental procedure, from a simple filling to a complex root canal.
Different offices meet the sedation needs of their patients in different ways. Our Massapequa Park team uses oral sedation to put dental phobias to rest. Using oral sedation, we can help patients with varying degrees of fear experience a degree of comfort than they ever thought possible.
How Does Oral Sedation Work?
If you’re nervous about going to the dentist, simply let us know so we can discuss the use of oral sedation. Once we know if you’re a good candidate for oral sedation—which we’ll do by reviewing your medical history and your current medications—we’ll select an anti-anxiety prescription or sedative drug that fits your needs the best.
No matter what we choose, we’ll be selecting from a range of safe, widely-prescribed drugs designed to diminish anxiety. The dosage you’ll be prescribed will depend on the amount of anxiety you feel, and this will determine your level of consciousness during your appointment. It’s not uncommon for patients to feel so relaxed during their appointment that they actually drift off.
On the day of your appointment, you’ll just need to take your sedative or anti-anxiety pill as prescribed. Sometimes, patients are encouraged to take part of their prescription the night before so they sleep better prior to their procedure, but that will depend on your specific needs and isn’t necessary for everyone. Once you’ve taken your pill, you’ll need to have a friend or family member drive you to and from your appointment and stay with you until the effects of your sedation have worn off.
But what if oral sedation isn’t right for you?
Our Massapequa Park team also offers nitrous oxide sedation for greater patient comfort and relaxation. Some patients may even benefit from combining nitrous oxide and oral sedation.
IV Sedation
Exceptional Care from a Board-Certified Anesthesiologist
For our patients who experience the most extreme dental fear, we can also use a method called IV sedation. For this, a strong sedative will be put directly into the bloodstream via a painless injection. It’s potent, fast acting, and your sedation level can even be adjusted throughout your procedure as needed.
Sedation dentistry has helped thousands of patients who formerly avoided dental care discover a renewed sense of hope for their oral health. If dental anxiety has kept you from visiting our Massapequa Park dental office, sedation dentistry can help you, too. To learn more about how we can give you the most stress-free dental experience ever, please contact us today.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Anytime you’re preparing to undergo sedation dentistry in Massapequa, it’s normal to have questions about what you can expect before, during, and after your procedure. At South Shore Dental Care, our team never wants our patients to feel uncertain, uninformed, or unprepared, which is why we’re here to provide the answers to all your questions. Below are just a few of the many we’ve been asked by previous patients. If you do not see yours listed, pleased contact us to schedule an appointment. We’ll be happy to discuss all your concerns and inquiries.
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Sedation that is administered by a skilled and licensed professional is most certainly safe to receive. Before you can undergo oral conscious or IV sedation, however, you will need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Dory or Dr. Khalida Stutman. It is during this visit that we will determine your eligibility and if you have any medical conditions that might make sedation risky or cause potential complications. We’ll go over all the potential risks that are involved and discuss which type of sedation will work best for your individual needs.
Will I remember anything with dental sedation?
One of the great benefits of dental sedation is that it is unlikely you will remember much, if anything, from your procedure. Whether you’re receiving a dental checkup and cleaning or undergoing a root canal, oral conscious and IV sedation are both helpful in creating a more relaxed environment. While you will remain cognizant enough to respond to your dentist’s cues, it will be unlikely that you will remember the events of your visit. This is extremely helpful if you suffer from mild, moderate, or extreme dental anxiety.
Is sedation dentistry worth it?
Yes, dental sedation is worth the time and investment because it can make receiving dental care possible. Too often, patients who fear the dentist cancel or continually reschedule their appointments. This can cause many oral health problems to form over time. By choosing to undergo oral conscious or IV sedation, your dentist can check for signs of tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancer, and recommend appropriate treatment options to improve and possibly repair your smile.
Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance?
This is dependent upon your individual insurance plan. Most companies do not provide coverage, which will require you to seek alternative payment methods. However, if you require multiple dental procedures, or if you are disabled and cannot sit still long enough for dental care, your dental insurance carrier might agree to pay a portion of your sedation costs. No matter how they plan to handle the financial component of your treatment, our team at South Shore Dental Care is ready to help. We do offer an in-office membership plan with discounts on available services, and we accept CareCredit and Springstone, which provide flexible payment plans for your budget.
