Adults Have Many Options Today to Get Straighter Teeth

It can be uncomfortable to ask your dentist for sedation, especially if you already have a phobia of your dental practitioner. But there are many reasons why you may need sedation dental services. Read on to learn more about sedation dentistry and how to talk to your dentist about your options. 

Learn How it Works

Sedation dental services include a wide variety of treatments that are designed to make your dental visits as comfortable as possible. While most types of sedation are simply designed to relax your nerves and help you feel calm, many patients either fall asleep or have no recollection of their dental procedure. Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is a harmless gas that relaxes you only while you're inhaling it during your appointment. Once your treatment is complete, your dentist simply turns the nitrous oxide off and has you take a few deep breaths of oxygen.

What's particularly beneficial about nitrous oxide is that the effects wear off once you stop breathing it. This means, you can safely drive yourself home. Stronger sedation methods, such as oral or intravenous (IV) sedation, are known for making you drowsy. While these types of sedation treatments are certainly beneficial for putting your mind at ease during your dental service, they do stay in your system for a while. You need to plan on having a ride home afterwards. 

Talk About Your Concerns

Your dedicated team of dental practitioners want your visit to be as stress-free as possible. One of the most common reasons men and women request sedation dentistry is to be comfortable during long or invasive dental procedures, such as root canals or dental implants.

While dental phobia or being worried about pain are certainly acceptable reasons for requesting sedation, not all patients need sedation for dental issues. For example, if you have a chronic pain condition, like arthritis, lying back in that chair for a routine dental cleaning can become agonizing. Sedation dentistry options can help you feel comfortable and relaxed, so you can get the dental care you need without being in pain. 

Find Out if it's Covered

Once you and your dentist decide that sedation is likely a good fit for you, it's important to discuss insurance coverage. In some cases, because sedation isn't medically necessary, your sedation treatment might not be covered—or it could only be partially covered. You need to talk with your dentist about insurance coverage and payment options, just so you don't get any surprise bills later on. Rest assured, your dental team can work with you to find an affordable solution, so you can still get the sedation you need.