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Say Goodbye to Dental Anxiety
Ever missed a crucial dental appointment due to anxiety or fear? You're not alone. Dental phobias are common and often prevent people from seeking the care they need, whether it's a complex procedure or a routine checkup. Dr. Beaty believes fear shouldn't stand in the way of your oral health, which is why he’s proud to offer sedation dentistry options to ensure a calm and comfortable experience. Continue reading to learn more or give us a call today!
Why Choose Drew Beaty, DDS for Sedation Dentistry?
- Fast-Acting Sedation
- Gentle and Caring Dentist
- Multiple Financing Options
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is a great option for patients with significant anxiety or difficulty sitting still for extended periods. Before your appointment, you'll take a prescribed pill that will put you in a deeply relaxed state while remaining awake. Many patients feel so at ease that they remember little of the procedure afterward. Since the effects take time to wear off, you’ll need someone to drive you home, and you should plan to rest for the remainder of the day.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide is one of the most common sedation options in dentistry. If you’re curious why you haven’t heard of it before, there’s a good chance it’s because you’ve heard it referred to by its nickname: laughing gas. Below, you will find some helpful information on this calming solution, but don’t hesitate to give our Federal Way office a call if you have any questions or are ready to schedule an appointment!
Who is a Good Candidate for Nitrous Oxide?
Nitrous oxide has proven to be extremely helpful for patients who:
With all of that said, we need to review your medical and dental history before we can determine if you’re a good candidate. If you aren’t because you’re pregnant, you have asthma, or you’re allergic, don’t worry – we will work together to find another way to give you the calm, positive experience you deserve at our office.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Work?
Nitrous oxide is administered once you arrive at our office. Once we position the nasal mask in place, we will ask you to breathe in through your nose, allowing you to inhale the colorless, odorless gas. Within a few minutes, you’ll feel a wave of relaxation wash over you. Since this form of sedation dentistry can be adjusted throughout your visit, we can ensure you remain comfortable each step of the way. Plus, you won’t be put to sleep, so you can easily respond to the cues we give you or ask any questions you have.
Aftercare for Nitrous Oxide
Once we’re done providing the preventive, restorative, or cosmetic dentistry you need, we will switch off the nitrous oxide and remove the nasal mask. Shortly after, the effects will wear off, allowing you to resume your normal activities right away. In fact, you don’t even need to arrange for a trusted adult to drive you to and from your visit! All you need to do is abide by any aftercare instructions we give you, like rinsing your mouth periodically with warm saltwater or sticking to a liquid diet for a few days.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
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!