Dental phobia and anxiety are serious conditions, which are difficult to overcome. Even when a person is aware that their fear may be irrational, it doesn’t change the intense feeling of panic and nervousness when entering a dental office. We understand how disabling the fear of dental treatment can be. Instead of avoiding the care you need, contact Dental on Central. We offer a number of sedation dentistry techniques, including IV Sedation, General Anesthesia, and Oral Conscious Sedation, designed to create a relaxing and enjoyable experience for you. To see how our Phoenix sedation dentists can help you, call (602) 266-1776 today or reach us online by filling out our contact form.
There are three types of sedation, and several factors to consider to determine which type of sedation is most appropriate: The invasiveness of procedure, the length of the procedure, the anxiety level of the patient, the cooperativeness of the patient, and if the patient is needle-phobic.
General / Deep Sedation
This type of sedation is used for patients who are needle-phobic, have special needs, may not be able to be cooperative during a procedure if awake, and for procedures that are invasive or of longer duration than standard procedures.
The patient is asleep during this time, and an anesthesiologist performs the sedation.
IV Conscious Sedation
This type of sedation is referred to as “twilight sedation.” The patient is conscious, but will remember very little of the procedure. IV Conscious Sedation is appropriate for patients who have a moderate level of anxiety, and for procedures which are somewhat invasive and/or a bit lengthy.
Oral Conscious Sedation
This type of sedation, the mildest form, is appropriate for patients with mild anxiety and for brief procedures. The patient is conscious, will remember the procedure, and is in a relaxed state.
General / Deep Sedation is administered via an IV needle inserted into the patient’s arm. If the patient is needle-phobic, they can be put to sleep first using a facial mask, prior to the insertion of a needle.
IV Conscious Sedation is also administered via an IV needle inserted into the patient’s arm. If the patient is needle-phobic, “laughing gas” – nitrous oxide – may be administered first via a facial mask.
Oral Conscious Sedation is administered via an oral sedative (a pill) or using “laughing gas” – nitrous oxide – via a facial mask.
You will only be fully asleep if General / Deep Sedation is used.
The cost of sedation will vary based on the type of sedation being administered and the amount of time the dental procedure will take to complete. Costs can typically range anywhere from $200 to more than $1000. Schedule a sedation consultation with a Phoenix sedation dentist at Dental on Central and we will tailor a treatment plan that suits your individual needs and discuss exact pricing in detail.
IV Sedation may be covered by insurance when it is a medical necessity for a patient to be unconscious during a complicated procedure or surgery. Also, when patients have a disability or medical condition requiring them to be sedated in order to receive proper care, then sedation dentistry may be approved by an insurer. Despite the many benefits that sedation dentistry has to offer, some dental insurance considers sedation a luxury for routine dental procedures and does not cover the expense or may only cover a percentage of the cost. The details and further information can be found in your dental insurance policy and by speaking with your sedation dentist.
Young children may need to be sedated when they are in need of dental procedures which require them to remain completely still. High-precision procedures can be lengthy and the sound of a drill may be scary to them, making it close to impossible for a child to lie still for a long period of time. In addition, children with special needs such as patients with autism or Down syndrome may need assistance with the added challenges they face, such as a severe gag reflex. Our Phoenix sedation dentists have significant experience treating special needs patients and can help put both you and your child at ease. Sedation can be a solution to providing safe and relatively pain-free treatment. Both children and parents alike will feel more relaxed and be better able to cope.
While most people are healthy enough for sedation, it’s important to check with our sedation dentist to determine which type of sedation would be the best option for you. If you’ve also been experiencing dental anxiety, this is important to disclose during your consultation.
Call Dental on Central with any questions you may have regarding our Phoenix sedation dentistry options. We are devoted to giving you a wonderful dental experience. Reach us by calling (602) 266-1776 or online through our contact form.