Sedation Dentistry – Las Cruces, NM
The Calming Solution You’ve Been Looking For
Do you struggle with dental anxiety? Maybe you have a fear of needles, or you need more extensive care, like multiple tooth extractions. Whatever the case may be, you shouldn’t hesitate to bring any questions or concerns you have to us! That way, our caring, experienced, and non-judgmental team can determine if you’re a good candidate for sedation dentistry. If you are interested in learning more about it, you can read on or give us a call.
Why Choose Painted Skies Dental Center for Sedation Dentistry?
- Kind and Non-Judgmental Dental Team
- Appointments Available Five Days a Week
- CareCredit Flexible Financing Welcome
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
Unlike nitrous oxide sedation, oral conscious sedation should be taken before your appointment gets started. All you have to do is swallow a pill, and within minutes, you should start to feel relaxed and comfortable. Because the medication’s effects can linger for several hours, you will need to have a trusted friend or family member ready to drop you off and pick you up from our Las Cruces dental office. It would also be a wise precaution to have them sit with you following your procedure until the effects have at least partially worn off.
What Is Oral Conscious Sedation?
Instead of using gas or intravenous medications to help you relax, oral conscious sedation simply requires that you swallow a small pill shortly before your treatment is scheduled to begin. A variety of medications can be used for this, but they are typically from the diazepam family (for example, Valium is often used). Our team will prescribe a sedative and dose for you based on your unique situation. The effects of the pill usually begin within 15 minutes of when you take it.
How Does Oral Conscious Sedation Work?
As its name suggests, oral conscious sedation is not meant to cause unconsciousness. You should remain alert enough to respond to questions and directions from our team. However, you will feel very relaxed, and if you do drift off to sleep, it should be easy for us to awaken you.
The effects of the sedation can last for several hours after your appointment, so you should not drive or do anything else that is potentially dangerous until you are no longer under its influence. Once the sedation wears off, you may not remember anything about your appointment; this mild amnesiac effect is completely normal, and many patients like it because the sights and sounds of dental care make them uncomfortable.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Conscious Sedation?
We might recommend oral conscious sedation for you if:
- You are nervous or anxious about your treatment.
- You are not easily numbed by local anesthesia.
- You have a highly sensitive gag reflex.
- We are placing multiple implants at once or carrying out other relatively extensive procedures.
- You do not have any strong contraindications for oral conscious sedation. For example, you should not be pregnant or have certain respiratory conditions or allergies.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance?
Oftentimes, sedation dentistry is categorized as a “luxury” and, therefore, is not covered by dental insurance providers. However, there are some exceptions. For example, if you have a disability that makes it virtually impossible to get the care you need without it, then your provider may cover a portion of the cost.
Important reminder: In addition to being in-network with several popular dental insurance providers, including Delta Dental, we welcome flexible financing with CareCredit. As a result, we can work with patients with just about every budget.
Does dental sedation make you tell secrets?
In TV shows and movies, sedation dentistry is often depicted as a truth serum. However, it won’t make you tell secrets. Plus, even if you did share something you normally wouldn’t while under the effects, you don’t have to worry – it won’t leave the walls of your treatment room.
How long does dental sedation last?
That depends on the type of sedation you’re receiving. The effects of oral conscious sedation, for example, often last for the rest of the day (that’s why it’s so important to have someone drive you to and from our office). Conversely, the effects of nitrous oxide usually dissipate within a matter of minutes.
Can dental sedation make you sick?
Although oral conscious sedation is stronger than nitrous oxide, it isn’t as intense as IV sedation. Even so, patients are usually advised to fast prior to their appointment to prevent feelings of nausea. If you struggle with feeling sick, we may also provide you with an anti-nausea drug to make your time in the treatment chair as comfortable as possible.