5 Powerful Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

For some, visiting the dentist can bring up feelings of anxiety. And can even prevent you from getting the dental care you need. But the good news is that you don’t have to let dental anxiety stop you from having a healthy, beautiful smile. 

Our Shoreline Dental Studio dentists are certified to assess your sedation dentistry needs and prescribe safe and effective solutions so your dental visits are stress-free. After all, we’re an Orange County dentist that’s all about helping our patients feel at ease during treatments with our Comfort Experience. Think a spa day for your smile.

Not sure what sedation dentistry is and how it can help relieve your dental anxiety? In this post, we’ll discuss the benefits of sedation dentistry and answer questions like: What is dental sedation? What types of dental sedation are available? And which dental treatments can be paired with dental sedation?  

What is Sedation Dentistry?

First, what is dental sedation? Sedation dentistry is about incorporating sedatives into treatment so patients can feel relaxed and calm before and/or during dental procedures. Sedation dentistry benefits those who suffer from dental anxiety, have low pain tolerance, dislike needles, or require lengthy, invasive procedures. 

Different Types of Dental Sedation

We tailor the type of dental sedation to your particular needs. As a sedation dentist in Mission Viejo and San Clemente, your Shoreline dentist will chat with you beforehand about your specific fears or sensitivities at a pre-treatment conversation. At this appointment, they’ll learn about your health history and review your options with you.

Nitrous Oxide Sedation (also called “laughing gas”):

Laughing gas at the dentist is one of the mildest forms of sedation and involves inhaling a mix of nitrous oxide and oxygen through a mask. Nitrous oxide induces a relaxed and euphoric state within minutes, making it helpful for mild dental anxiety and short procedures. 

Is nitrous oxide safe? Yes, and for most patients, it dissipates almost immediately at the end of your treatment with no side effects. You can even drive yourself home after an appointment if your only dental sedation was laughing gas.

Oral Conscious Sedation:

Oral sedation induces a deeper level of relaxation than nitrous oxide: you’re conscious but feel drowsy throughout your procedure. Your experienced sedation dentist at our Mission Viejo or San Clemente dental office will prescribe an anti-anxiety oral medication that you take before you arrive. You’ll need someone to bring you to your appointment and pick you up afterwards. 

Other Methods For Easing Dental Anxiety

Patients scheduled for checkups and cleanings, fillings, extractions, root canals, or cosmetic dentistry can feel more comfortable with nitrous oxide or oral sedation. But sometimes, nitrous oxide or oral sedation might not be enough for more complex, lengthy, or invasive dental procedures. That’s where intravenous (IV) sedation is helpful. 

And general anesthesia for dental procedures? It’s typically reserved for the most complex and lengthy procedures. Usually used in hospital settings, your Shoreline dentist might turn to general anesthesia for treating young kids, adults with special needs, or people with severe dental anxiety whose procedures would go more smoothly with it. 

Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Now that we’ve covered the types of dental sedation, let’s take a look at the benefits of sedation dentistry.

1. Anxiety Reduction: As we’ve mentioned, the key benefit of sedation dentistry is its ability to alleviate anxiety and fear associated with dental treatment.
2. Pain Management: Sedation dentistry helps manage pain during and after dental procedures. With some treatments, a local anesthetic numbs the area, but sedation contributes another level against feeling pain.
3. Time Efficiency: With the relaxation induced by sedation, dentists can work more efficiently, completing procedures faster or in a single session. Patients with busy schedules might appreciate the time-saving benefits of sedation dentistry.
4. Encourages Better Oral Health: Dental anxiety can lead to prolonged dental neglect, leading to more extensive dental problems like gum disease or tooth loss from untreated issues. Sedation dentistry offers a solution to dental anxiety that frees patients to care for their oral health confidently.
5. No Memory of the Procedure: Oral sedation, IV sedation and general anesthetic result in patients having little to no memory of their dental procedure. This benefits patients who fear the sights and sounds of dental equipment or clinical settings.

How Much Does Dental Sedation Cost?

Dental sedation is an added service with an additional cost. The cost reflects the type of dental sedation, dosages, and your dentist’s location. Some dental sedation costs are covered by your dental insurance and our Shoreline Dental Studio insurance coordinator is happy to help you look into your insurance coverage.

Limited Time Free Dental Sedation at Your Orange County Dentist

Speaking of dental sedation cost, we’ve got you covered! For a limited time, Shoreline Dental Studio is offering free oral conscious sedation. Qualifying patients can save $520 on sedation dentistry for their upcoming dental treatment from July 1 to September 30, 2023. 

Whether you’ve got a filling coming up, a cosmetic dental procedure, veneers, or restorative dental implants, take advantage of free oral conscious sedation for optimal comfort and relaxation. Book a free consultation with your Orange County dentist to enjoy this offer!