Sedation Dentistry

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Sleep Dentistry an Anxiety Free Experience!

Sedation Dentistry in Beverly Hilla, CA

With sedation dentistry in Beverly Hills, you can finally get the dental care you need. Some people will avoid going to the dentist for years because they are afraid of the different procedures. Whether you need a basic exam or a new crown, a sedation dentist can help. Oral and inhaled sedatives can help you relax and enjoy your visit instead of stressing out about all of your dental work.

If you are afraid of going to the dentist, our Beverly Hills clinic can help. Sedation is also useful for people who are afraid of needles or have a strong gag reflex. Our Beverly Hills team takes a holistic approach to your treatment, so our goal is to offer the support, services and sedatives you need to have a beautiful, healthy smile.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sleep dentistry involves different dental treatments that help people who experience anxiety at the dental office. There are a number of advantages to using a sedation dentist. With sedation, you will not have any memory of the procedure. You also do not have any sense of time when you are under sedation. During the treatment, you do not have any fear, sense of smell or anxiety. You cannot hear or see anything that happens during the procedure.

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If you feel intense fear about going to the dentist or getting your teeth cleaned, sedation is probably a good option. The main goal is to help you relax as much as possible. While it is called sleep dentistry, you are not generally asleep during the procedure. The only time you are actually asleep is if you are under general anesthesia.

There are different levelsof sedative used. Your sedation dentist will choose the best option based on the procedure and your anxiety level. Minimal sedation involves being awake and relaxed. Meanwhile, moderate sedation is where you may not remember the majority of the procedure. You may also slur your words when talking.

If you are under deep sedation, your mind is at the very edge of consciousness. You can still be awakened, but it would be much harder for someone to wake you up than it normally is. Finally, general anesthesia is a kind of sedation that makes you completely unconscious.

The Benefits of Getting Sleep Dentistry

For nervous patients, there are a number of benefits of getting sedation dentistry in Beverly Hills. If you normally feel anxious or afraid of your dental visits, sedation can help you relax. In addition, the sedation dentistry cost is affordable as well.

Sedation dentistry has a range of different advantages:

  • Anxiety relief: This is definitely one of the most common reasons why patients want a sedation dentist. Sedation helps patients relax and feel comfortable during the procedure. In addition, sedation removes one of the main reasons why people avoid the dentist by making you less worried.
  • Pain relief: No one wants to experience pain, and your dentist will do everything possible to minimize the pain you experience during normal procedures. If you want completely pain-free procedures, sedatives and anesthetics will definitely do the trick. When you are under powerful sedation, your brain is unable to register pain signals.
  • Anterograde amnesia: While most people want to remember every minute of their lives, this is generally not true for dental surgeries and other procedures. Sedation dentistry can actually lead to anterograde amnesia, so you do not have any memory of the procedure at all.
  • Fast procedures: Another reason to use sedation is because it allows the dentist to work faster. If the patient is sedated, they cannot squirm around on their chair. The dentist is able to work more efficiently and faster.
  • Gag reflexes: While your gag reflex normally protects you from choking on foreign objects, it does not help when you are at the dentist. If you have a strong reflex, it can make it difficult for your dentist to work. With sedatives, the spasms stop. This allows your dentist to efficiently work inside the oral cavity without a problem.

How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?

The sedation dentistry cost depends entirely on the procedure. There are different levels of sedatives, so the actual sedation dentistry cost depends on which one is used. Simpler options like nitrous oxide are generally less than $100 per hour of treatment. Meanwhile, strong sedatives like IV sedation can cost more than $500 per hour of treatment. Medium-range options like oral sedation will have a price in between the two extremes.

These prices are very rough estimates because the actual sedation dentistry cost depends on multiple factors. Different clinics in Beverly Hills have various prices. Meanwhile, some geographic regions cost more because the clinic has to cover higher overhead costs for things like rent. In addition, your unique costs will change based on how long your procedure is and what your insurance will cover.

Keep in mind that only some dentists can offer every sedation option. While most dentists can use minimal sedation like nitrous oxide, only some dentists can administer moderate sedation. General anesthesia and deep sedation can only be administered by someone who has completed the Commission on Dental Accreditation program. Because of this, only a very small percentage of dentists are qualified to offer more complex options.

Who Is the Right Candidate?

Sedation dentistry is the right choice if you suffer from extreme fear or anxiety surrounding dental visits. You need dental care to enjoy better oral health, but you cannot get this dental care if you do not go to the dentist. A sedation dentist can help you feel comfortable enough to actually go to the dentist like you are supposed to.

This procedure is ideal for people who have certain qualities.

  • A person who has an inability to sit still in a dentist's chair
  • Someone who suffers from a low pain threshold
  • An individual who needs a lot of dental work
  • Someone who has a bad gag reflex
  • A person who has extremely sensitive teeth

Children can even get sedation if they are afraid of the dentist or will not cooperate during their visit. Nitrous oxide is generally safe to use with children. For oral sedation, it is important to go to a dentist who is trained in administering it on children.

Types of Sedation: Oral, IV and General Anesthesia

There are three main forms of sedation dentistry. Inhaled sedation is the most basic option. When you go to the dentist, you inhale nitrous oxidethrough a mask that is placed on top of your nose. The dentist can control how much of the sedative you receive so that you are completely relaxed for the procedure. Afterward, the nitrous oxide wears off fast enough for you to drive home safely.

Oral sedation

Oral sedation can provide minimal to moderation sedation. A pill like Halcion is taken an hour before the procedure. You feel drowsy and only slightly awake. A larger dose of Halcion can cause a stronger sedation. Oral medication is generally the most common form of sleep dentistry treatment. It is so effective that some people even fall asleep during the procedure.

IV Sedation

IV sedation is a stronger treatment. The sedation dentist gives you the drug through your veins. Because it enters through your veins, it goes into effect quickly. Like oral sedation and general anesthesia, you should not drive yourself home after the procedure is done.

Deep Sedation

Deep sedation like general anesthesia is the strongest option available. Depending on the medication, you will either be mostly or completely unconscious during your treatment. While someone can still be awakened during IV sedation, it is impossible to wake someone easily with general anesthesia. You will only awaken after the anesthesia wears off.

Levels of Dental Sedation

The three main kinds of sedation are mild, moderate and deep sedation. Mild sedation is the lightest form and works for people with mild anxiety. It is typically administered orally and allows the patient to remain awake throughout the procedure.

Moderate sedation works for people who have moderate dental anxiety. The sedation dentist may use an IV to administer the sedatives. After the sedation dentistry appointment, it is important to have a family member or friend drive you home. It can take several hours for the medication to wear off enough for you to drive.

Finally, deep sedation is for people who absolutely cannot be awake at all for their treatment. It is also used for longer or more intensive procedures. During this form of sleep dentistry, the patient is unable to remember any of the treatment. They spend the treatment going between consciousness and unconsciousness.

Does Insurance Cover Sedation Dentistry?

The sedation dentistry cost depends on which insurance provider you use. It also depends on the procedure you are doing and the type of sedatives. While sedation dentistry is extremely useful during different procedures, dental insurance does not always cover it. Some plans even classify sedation dentistry as a luxury, so they do not cover any of the costs.

Interestingly, it is often more likely that an insurer will cover the cost of general anesthesia. Because general anesthesia is typically used for more intensive procedures, your insurer may cover the cost because they consider it medically necessary. Before you begin your procedure at a sleep dentistry clinic, make sure to talk to your insurance provider about what they will pay for.

In some cases, you can actually get special coverage for sedation dentistry if you have the right diagnosis. People who have a diagnosed medical or dental phobia can sometimes get their insurance provider to pay for the costs. There are also other medical conditions and disabilities that require sedation for the patient to get proper dental care.

Remember that most dental insurance policies will only pay for around $1,000 to $1,500 in treatment costs each year. Even if your insurance provider covers sedation, you may still have to pay for any costs that are higher than $1,500. To make sure you are not horribly surprised by your insurer, check your coverage before you undergo your next treatment.

Deep Sedation Versus General Anesthesia

Deep sedation and general anesthesia are the most intense forms of sedation dentistry. In essence, general anesthesia is a form of deep sedation. When you undergo deep sedation, it is difficult to arouse you without repeated stimulation. Meanwhile, general anesthesia is the complete loss of consciousness. Even with painful stimulation, you will not wake up when you are under gender anesthesia.

Schedule Your Complimentary Dental Consultation

If you want a more relaxing experience at the dentist, Smile Angels of Beverly Hills can help. We offer a holistic treatment process with a range of sedation dentistry options. To find out more, call or email us today to schedule your first consultation.

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