Sedation Dentistry for Dental Phobia
Making a Greenville South Carolina dentist appointment can be an anxiety provoking experience when learning about all the procedures and steps. In fact, it is very common for people to avoid seeking the dental care they need because the thought of having a procedure performed or sitting in a chair for an extended period of time is too anxiety provoking. At Heritage Dentistry, we understand that this is a concern for many of our patients and are committed to doing everything we can to provide you with a comfortable and pain-free experience.
One of the ways we can ensure that your experience at our clinic will be as painless and stress free as possible is with our dental sedation offerings. In addition to local anesthetics, which are frequently administered prior to performing a procedure to reduce or eliminate your pain or discomfort, dental sedation can also be included as part of your treatment. Dental sedation can range from mild, moderate, and deep and be administered orally, in gas form, or through an IV.
As a native of Greenville and fourth generation dentist, Dr. Preston Hamrick is proud to serve his community by developing personal relationships with all his patients and working hard to understand their needs and goals. Read on to learn more about sedation dentistry, or to schedule a consultation or learn more about our services, call us today at 864.292.5125.
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Is Dental Sedation Safe?
While dental sedation can be administered to most patients, individuals who are at a higher risk of developing complications, are obese, or who have underlying medical conditions may not be viable candidates for dental sedation. Prior to scheduling any procedure that may require the use of dental sedation, Dr. Hamrick will conduct a thorough review of your oral and medical history to ensure that dental sedation is safe for you. Please inform Dr. Hamrick and/or our staff of any changes to your health history we may not be aware of, as well as an updated list of medications you are currently taking.
While dental sedation is generally safe, you may experience any of the following side effects after sedation is administered:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Blurry Vision
- Lightheadedness
- Headache
- Sweating or shivering
- Nausea
These symptoms should fade quickly following your procedure. If any of these symptoms continue, contact our clinic as soon as possible.
Administration of Dental Sedation
If you are told that a specific oral treatment procedure is necessary and are concerned about discomfort or the time you will have to spend in a chair while this procedure is performed, please share your oral health concerns with our family dentist Dr. Hamrick and our staff at your next appointment. Our number one goal is to make sure that you understand what you can expect from any procedure and that you feel comfortable asking relevant questions concerning dental sedation, such as what dose you will be receiving and what dose is recommended by the FDA, the qualifications of our staff, and what risks are involved in receiving dental sedation.
There are several different types of dental sedation of different strengths and different types of administration. One of the most frequently used types of dental sedation is nitrous oxide, which is administered as a gas. In addition to being very safe and highly effective, there are also very few side effects associated with nitrous oxide. Also, the effects of this sedative wear off much faster than other dental sedation options.
Oral sedation is also commonly used, primarily for patients who struggle with dental phobia or who might struggle with sitting still in a chair for extended periods of time. Oral sedation is usually taken one or two hours before a procedure is scheduled to be performed and will put the individual in a more relaxed state. Unlike nitrous oxide, which can cause feelings of dizziness or disorientation, oral sedation is more likely to cause feelings of grogginess or lightheadedness.
IV (intravenous) or IM (intramuscular) sedation is reserved for procedures that are more invasive, or for patients who have extreme dental phobia. IV or IM sedation provides almost immediate results and will put you in such a relaxed and sedated state that you will likely not remember anything about the procedure that is being performed. Once the procedure is completed and the sedation is no longer being administered, it will take some time for you to return to normal consciousness. Because this level of sedation places you in such an altered state, it will be necessary to arrange for a friend, family member, or Uber/taxi to drive you home following your procedure.
Cost of Dental Sedation
For patients with dental insurance, it is important to be aware that dental sedation is generally not covered; however, every plan is different and our staff are happy to review your coverage to determine whether your plan does cover dental sedation and ensure you maximize your benefits and have minimal out of pocket expenses.
If you are a patient at our practice and do not have dental insurance, consider joining our membership club. Because we value your loyalty, we have launched this club to help save you money on treatment and simplify payments for preventative care. We offer three levels of membership: child, adult, and perio membership. Professional dental cleanings, doctor exams, necessary X-rays, and a 5% discount on all other treatment (some exclusions apply) are included in all membership packages.
You can sign up today and start saving money on treatment online or call us at (864) 292-5125.
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For your convenience, we accept all forms of credit and debit cards, including Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
Fall in Love with Your Smile Again
At Heritage Dentistry in Greenville, South Carolina, we are committed to providing 5-star customer service that is relationship based, along with a comprehensive range of treatment options that will ensure your sustained oral health and make you fall in love with your smile again. To schedule your appointment or learn more about our dental sedation services, contact our Greenville dental team today at (684) 292-5125.
Learn More About Our Services
- All on 4 Dental Implants
- Bone Grafting
- Children's Dentistry
- Cosmetic Dentistry
- Dental Bonding
- Dental Bridge
- Dental Cleanings
- Dental Crowns
- Dental Exams
- Dental Fillings
- Dental Implants
- Dentist
- Dentures
- Family Dentistry
- Full Mouth Dental Implants
- Gum Contouring
- Gum Grafting
- Implant Supported Dentures
- Invisalign
- Periodontal Therapy
- Porcelain Veneers
- Root Canals
- Scale and Root Planing
- Sedation Dentistry
- Teeth Whitening
- Tooth Extractions