People are often hesitant to go to the dentist because they fear pain. Millions of people worldwide avoid seeing a dentist because they assume sedation dentistry--dental procedures done while you are put to sleep with anesthetics so you don't feel any pain--is too expensive for their budgets, but sedation dentistry truly is affordable. If your insurance does not cover sedation dentistry, ask your dentist if they offer payment plans. The costs are typically minimal and very much worth it, especially if not much is needed for a given procedure or many times per year. Sedative methods vary from patient to patient and depend on several factors. Some methods do not involve putting a patient fully to sleep. For example, sedatives like nitrous oxide (a form of laughing gas) and oral sedatives like Valium are often used. These prevent a patient from feeling pain but can still be semi-aware. They might feel pressure and hear muffled conversations but usually do not feel any pain. This lighter form of sedation, along with local numbing, is often used with tooth fillings or root canals. This level of sedation also helps those that might otherwise feel anxiety and nervousness if they were fully aware of what is going on during a procedure. Complete sleep dentistry with general anesthetics, on the other hand, puts the patient's entire body to sleep, so they are able to lay completely still, are not aware of what is going on, and also do not feel any sort of pain throughout their dental procedures. This is basically the same degree of sedation you might receive when having surgery. There are many different types of sedatives, so your dentist will always ask you about your medical history and preferences and choose the sedation method that best suits you after considering all these factors.

Can you request to be sedated at the dentist? Yes! Multiple forms of sleep dentistry are available to people who would benefit from sedatives during dental procedures. Your dentist is likely to offer sedation even without you asking for it. Be sure to let your dentist know about any anxieties you may have so they can help ensure sedatives are done right. Sedatives can greatly improve your experience and boost your confidence when getting work done at the dentist's office. Sedatives are 100% safe when used by a professional, so speak with your dentist to find out if sleep dentistry might be right for you. Can you feel pain when sedated? No, you normally will not feel any pain while you are sedated. This is the main benefit of sedation! The sedative drugs relax you and make you unaware of pain, but depending on the method and level you receive, they do not always completely block awareness. Patients often fall asleep during sedated procedures. To prepare for sedation dentistry, your dentist will take a series of steps to mentally and physically put you at ease. At your first appointment, you will have a consultation with the sedation dentist, where you'll discuss what options are best for you. You may also be asked questions about any medical conditions that could affect sedation procedures, such as pregnancy. You may be asked to sign a sedation consent form that outlines the sedation procedure and any risks involved. You will receive sedatives through inhalation for moderate sedation and through intravenous (IV) injection for deep sedation. The sedative drugs provide sedation within minutes. You may feel drowsy or nauseated after the sedatives start wearing off. However, these effects should soon pass as you recover. Your sedation dentist will follow up with you to talk about how sedation dentistry went and what steps, if any, are necessary for recovery. You may also be given pain medications and instructions to follow at home to help you get through the healing process, depending on the intensity of your procedure.

Is sedation dentistry dangerous? Sedation dentistry is completely safe when administered by sedation dentists, but it does come with some possible risks. Some sedatives may cause side effects, including nausea, vomiting, headaches, and respiratory issues. Side effects are based on your general health conditions and what sedative you receive. Sedatives only produce temporary sedation, not sedation that lasts all day. The sedative effects wear off completely within a couple of hours after sedation dentistry is completed. Your dentist should advise you ahead of time if you need to be picked up after your appointment or whether you are safe to drive yourself home. Your sedation dentist will take precautions to avoid potential complications, such as keeping your airway open. Your sedation dentist will monitor your sedated state through devices like heart monitors and pulse oximeters. The sedation dentist can also stop sedating you at any time if necessary. It's also important for you to tell your sedation dentist about any medical conditions and medications you might be taking. Not all sedatives are the same, so it's important to choose one that doesn't interfere with any medications you're taking. Overall, sleep dentistry is very safe, and the benefits far outweigh the risks.