Sedation Dentistry – Federal Way, Way

Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?

When administered by trained professionals, rest assured, sedation dentistry is a completely safe and remarkably effective solution for alleviating dental-related anxiety and phobias. Before recommending sedation, our team will carefully review your medical history, current medications, and overall health to determine the best sedation option for you, whether it’s nitrous oxide (often called laughing gas) or an oral sedative to be taken prior to your appointment. It's also worth mentioning that during your appointment, your vital signs are closely monitored to ensure your comfort and safety at every step.  

Am I a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

If you ever feel nervous or stressed before dental appointments, whether for routine preventive care or more complex treatment, you are not alone, and you might also be an excellent candidate for sedation dentistry. Sedation dentistry is also a great option for patients with strong gag reflexes, particularly sensitive teeth, and those who struggle to remain still and seated for longer periods of time. Of course, it’s also used in situations when extensive treatment needs to be performed. Before recommending sedation, we’ll always ensure it’s a good and safe option for you—but if you ever have any questions about how it might be able to help or how it will affect you, don’t hesitate to let our team know!

Will I Remember Anything from My Appointment?

It’s unlikely that you’ll end up remembering much from your dental appointment when receiving dental sedation—but this is by design! Both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation involve medicine that causes temporary amnesia, allowing you to forget whatever occurred while you were seated in the dentist’s chair. You’ll still remain conscious and able to respond to verbal and physical stimuli, but once the effects of the sedation begin to wear off, you’ll return to yourself after a very short while.

Is Sedation Dentistry Ever Covered by Dental Insurance?

In most cases, dental insurance does not cover sedation dentistry in Federal Way when it’s used solely for patient comfort or anxiety relief. However, there may be exceptions if sedation is considered medically necessary for certain procedures (think tooth extractions or oral surgery) or specific health conditions. In any case, coverage will always vary based on the plan’s specifics, which is why it’s wise to be familiar with the details of your policy before committing to treatment. Our knowledgeable team is more than happy to help you navigate your benefits and discuss payment options to ensure that your care is affordable and comfortable!

Is Sedation Dentistry Considered Safe for Kids?

Many children experience anxiety around dental visits, whether they require a routine checkup and cleaning or a more complex procedure. While dental sedation can often be an effective way to help adults feel more at ease, you might wonder whether it’s also considered safe for still-developing smiles.

Usually, it’s safe as long as the medication is administered by a qualified professional, such as one of our dentists in Federal Way. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is the most popular option for children, but oral conscious sedation might be used in cases of more severe anxiety or for kids with physical or mental impairments that can make dental visits uncomfortable or unsafe.

What Does Dental Sedation Feel Like?

Are you worried you’ll share all your deepest secrets or laugh uncontrollably throughout your procedure once you’ve been sedated? Thankfully, the medications we offer are intended to help you feel relaxed and calm, but they don’t typically function like a truth serum or ‘knock you out’.

For example, nitrous oxide might make you feel at ease and euphoric, and you might notice a tingling sensation in your limbs. Meanwhile, oral conscious sedation provides an even more profound sense of relaxation, and while you’ll likely be aware enough to respond to our questions and directions, you might feel so drowsy that you doze off during your visit.

How Much Does Dental Sedation Usually Cost?

The cost of these medications can vary from person to person, depending on your unique circumstances. The final invoice can be affected by various factors, such as the length of your procedure, the type of medication you receive, and whether you’re resistant to its effects.

With that said, you can usually expect nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation to cost a few hundred dollars. Our team is happy to provide a more detailed estimate after we’ve examined your condition and provided an appropriate treatment plan to address any underlying concerns.

What Are Potential Risks of Sedation Dentistry?

Although most patients don’t experience negative side effects as a result of dental sedation, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks of these medications. Our team will also update your medical history, including any current prescriptions or supplements you regularly take, to help prevent potential adverse reactions.

You can expect the effects of nitrous oxide to dissipate quickly once your mask is removed, and it generally causes very few potential problems. You might feel lightheaded or nauseated, but this usually passes quickly enough that patients feel comfortable driving themselves home. Oral conscious sedation can linger longer in your system and can sometimes cause grogginess, headaches, and nausea.