Sedation Dentistry

Dental anxiety can be a powerful force keeping patients from receiving important dental care. Whether you’ve avoided regular dental exams or have put off crucial procedures, fear of the dentist’s can impact your health and happiness. Sedation dentistry transforms stressful experiences into positive ones. Dr. Hinebaugh offers sedation options that allow you to relax or even sleep during your procedure.

If you’ve ever struggled with dental anxiety, get in touch to learn more about sedation for next appointment.

How does dental sedation work?

Sedation calms the nervous system to prevent anxiety and allow patients to relax. There are a wide range of sedation options appropriate for different patient needs. Some of the reasons patients opt for sedation include:

• Low pain threshold
• Tooth sensitivity
• Sensitive gag reflex
• Past negative experiences in the dentist’s office
• Managing a longer, more involved procedure like implant surgery

Types of Dental Sedation

There are different degrees of sedation available, with the effects ranging from mild relaxation to twilight sleep. Ask Dr. Hinebaugh which level of sedation might be ideal for you.

• Low sedation – At this level, you will feel relaxed but will remain awake and responsive to prompts.
• Moderate sedation – You will be more relaxed but are unlikely to fall asleep, but also may not remember much of your procedure once the sedation has worn off.
• Deep sedation – You will be in a twilight sleep and will not remember the procedure afterwards.

Sedation can be administered through oral medication, inhaled medication (nitrous oxide), or through an IV.

In addition to sedation, you will receive local anesthetic so that the treatment area is fully numb and you do not experience discomfort. By pairing sedation with anesthesia, you can attain a stress-free, pain free experience.

Is sedation dentistry right for me?

Sedation has helped a wide range of patients with low to severe dental anxiety. If you’ve ever dreaded a dental appointment, or have struggled to receive the dental care you need, you owe it to yourself to learn more about your options. We cater to anxious patients and pride ourselves on establishing patient comfort and clear lines of communication. Take this opportunity to move past your anxiety and find a fulfilling, positive treatment experience.