Sedation Dentistry

The Benefits Of Sedation In Endodontics

Sedation allows you to feel more calm, comfortable, and relaxed during treatment. Depending on the treatment you choose, you may even sleep through your entire procedure, or forget what happened during your appointment.
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Sedation also allows your doctor to perform your procedure more quickly and effectively, since it relieves your anxiety and can also help with things like fear of needles and a strong gag reflex. If you’re nervous about an upcoming endodontic like root canal therapy, sedation dentistry at ONE ENDO is a great choice.

The Laughing Gas Sedation Process

To begin the process, a mask will be placed over your nose. Then, you’ll breathe in a mixture of oxygen and nitrous oxide, and you’ll start feeling its effects right away. Your dentist will conduct your endodontic procedure as you continue to breathe in through your nose.
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At the end of your treatment, oxygen will be sent through the mask, and you’ll breathe it in to flush out any remaining nitrous oxide. You’ll feel totally normal within about 5 minutes.
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The Oral Conscious Sedation Process

You will either take your sedative the night before your appointment or an hour or two before your appointment. You will need someone to drive you to and from the dentist.
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Once the sedative takes effect, your procedure will begin. You will feel very drowsy and groggy. You may fall asleep or forget most of what happens during your procedure. However, you will not be unconscious, and you can be woken up and you can respond to commands. It will usually take at least 4-6 hours for the effects of your sedative to wear off.

The General Anesthesia Process

You will be hooked up to special monitoring equipment to ensure your safety. Then, a combination of IV medication and gas will be used to make you completely unconscious. You will be hooked up to a breathing machine to ensure you continue to breathe properly.
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Then, your endodontic procedure will begin. Once your treatment is over, special medications will be administered to bring you back to consciousness. Like oral conscious sedation, you will need someone to drive you to and from our office, since the after-effects of anesthesia will take a while to wear off.

Are there any side effects?

Yes. These depend on the type of sedation you get. Nitrous oxide wears off within about 5 minutes. After this, you can get back to your normal routine, but side effects like a headache, dizziness, and nausea can linger for a little while.
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The side effects of oral sedation and general anesthesia are much more intense and long-lasting. You cannot go back to your day-to-day routine, and must go home to rest and relax under the supervision of a responsible adult. You may experience nausea, dry mouth, a sore throat, confusion, grogginess, and dizziness. It’s best to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery for at least 24 hours.

Am I A Good Candidate For Sedation?

This depends on your overall health, the procedure you need, and a few other factors. However, almost everyone can qualify for some type of sedation at ONE ENDO. Discuss your options with your dentist at our office, and you can get the treatment you need to feel safe and comfortable during your appointment.

Is Dental Sedation Covered By Insurance?

Generally speaking, the answer is “no.” Unfortunately, despite its numerous benefits, most dental plans have not added coverage for dental sedation. This means that you may need to pay out of pocket if you choose to be sedated during your appointment at ONE ENDO.

However, we do recommend consulting directly with your insurer and your policy documentation to learn more. Some insurers may cover part or all of the cost of dental sedation. In addition, some insurers will cover the cost of sedation for certain patients, like patients who have disabilities or medical conditions that will make dental care impossible without sedation.

Is Dental Sedation Safe?

Yes. Dental sedation is very safe. At ONE ENDO, our team has years of experience with sedation dentistry in Westchester, Greenwich, and Norwalk. We use our expertise and the latest techniques and sedation recommendations to ensure that the sedation process goes as smoothly as possible. Our team will keep a close eye on you and your vital signs both during and after your procedure.

In addition, our team will meet with you before your appointment to make sure you’re a good candidate for treatment. We will discuss your medical history, health conditions you have, medications and supplements you’re taking, and other such topics. While most people can be sedated safely, there are some exceptions, so this is an important step to make sure that you’ll be sedated safely.

Will I Remember Anything While Under Sedation?

This depends on the type of sedation you choose. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) won’t have any effect on your memory. During your treatment, you will be fully conscious, able to respond to commands and questions, and able to remember the entire procedure, which some patients may prefer.

However, oral conscious sedation is a bit different. While it’s not guaranteed, most patients forget most of what happens during their appointment. Patients also may fall asleep during treatment with oral conscious sedation. If you would prefer not to remember your procedure, this method of sedation may be better for you.

With general anesthesia, you will not remember anything about your appointment. This type of sedation renders you completely unconscious. However, it’s typically only used for very serious, invasive dental procedures. This is because general anesthesia is much more complex and expensive compared to other types of sedation.

Does Dental Sedation Help With Pain?

Yes. Dental sedation does help reduce pain, discomfort, and feelings of fear and anxiety in patients. However, it’s always used in conjunction with a local anesthetic, such as Novocaine or a similar numbing medication.

Local anesthetic medications help block the pain messages that are sent by your nerves. By injecting this medication directly into certain areas of your mouth, your endodontist can prepare you for your procedure and ensure you feel absolutely no pain.

Dental sedation also can help reduce pain, but it’s still always combined with local numbing injections. Together, dental sedation and local anesthetic ensure that you will always have a comfortable experience at ONE ENDO.