Strong, beautiful teeth are essential to overall health and confidence, and one of the best ways to protect them is to visit the dentist for routine checkups and dental care appointments. However, many patients avoid visiting the dentist due to severe anxiety. Dr. Roberto Velasco and Dr. Camilla Barrilleaux offer sedation dentistry in Houston, Texas, because they understand the importance of easing dental anxiety and helping patients relax.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Regular cleanings and checkups are a source of severe anxiety and discomfort for some patients, and this anxiety prevents them from obtaining consistent care to protect their teeth and gums. People who are hesitant to visit the dentist due to fear or physical discomfort may be candidates for sedation dentistry.
Dr. Velasco and Dr. Barrilleaux are compassionate and gentle dentists, and they will always recommend the best sedation option based on the patient’s needs. Patients with mild anxiety or those requiring minor dental work may prescribe oral sedation like Valium or a relaxing sedative for use before the appointment.
Intravenous sedation allows the patient to relax in a dreamlike state for procedures like implants, root canals, and extended visits to the office. Our dentists may recommend general anesthesia for patients with extreme anxiety or who need extensive restorative care.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry is an easy way for anxious patients to maintain basic care like cleanings or extensive reconstructive work while remaining comfortable and relaxed. Sedation dentistry is a good option for anxious or fearful patients who dread and postpone scheduling a dentist appointment. Sedation dentistry is also helpful for people who:
- Cannot sit still for long
- Have sensitive teeth or gums
- Have an exaggerated gag reflex
- Require extensive dental work
- Have a low threshold for pain
Types of Sedation Dentistry in Houston, TX
Although dental technology has made appointments quicker, easier, and more comfortable than ever before, many patients experience anxiety and are unable to sit comfortably through a dental visit. The fear of visiting the dentist (dentophobia) is a relatively common concern, affecting 9%-20% of US adults. We offer the following sedation dentistry options in Houston, TX, at Uptown Dental based on the treatment being done and the patient’s anxiety level.
Oral Medication
The first level of sedation dentistry is an oral medication. Oral sedatives provide an overall sense of relaxation and often help patients overcome dental anxiety. A prescription for Valium or a similar relaxing sedative is prescribed to the patient and taken before the appointment. The patient must have someone drive them to and from the dentist’s office, but they will be conscious and aware throughout the procedure.
General Anesthesia
General anesthesia may be recommended for complex cases that require a surgical approach or extreme dental anxiety. General anesthesia allows the patient to sleep through the entire procedure. An anesthesiologist is present to monitor the patient continually and ensure their safety until they wake up.
How Sedation Dentistry Works
Sedation dentistry is an option for very anxious patients, and different levels of sedation are available. The Uptown Dental staff is very respectful of each patient’s pain tolerance and anxiety levels, offering sedation options only when needed. Sedation dentistry and the calm and soothing environment of our office help many patients overcome their initial fear.
Frequently Asked Sedation Dentistry Questions
Dentistry is an important aspect of any child’s health. Our dentists will carefully assess a child’s anxiety levels and may recommend sedation dentistry in some cases.
The sedation used at Uptown Dentistry is approved for children by the AAPD (American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry). The team member who administers the sedation and evaluates the patient is fully licensed and has ample experience sedating both children and adults.
Different types of sedation have certain risks associated with them. The risks are minimal and rare, but our staff will explain any sedation risks to you. If something unexpected occurs, there is an emergency plan in place and experienced professionals onsite at Uptown Dental.
There are different sedation options available. Your dentist will recommend the right sedation type based on your anxiety levels and the type of treatment you have scheduled.
Oral conscious sedation will help you feel relaxed, but you will remain aware and responsive to the doctor’s questions or instructions. If intravenous sedation is used, you will relax in a dreamlike state. If general anesthesia is used, you will be asleep during the treatment and wake up afterward, ready to be driven home.
Each person is different, but hopefully, you will no longer be afraid of the dentist or require sedation to alleviate dental anxiety after a few appointments. We only recommend sedation when necessary, so if the treatment doesn’t call for sedation and you are not too anxious, we can avoid it altogether!
Sedation dentistry is one of the top ways to help extremely nervous or anxious patients relax during a dental procedure. Some people avoid visiting the dentist altogether because of their fears. If you are afraid of the dentist, sedation dentistry will help you remain calm and comfortable during your visit.
Sedation dentistry is usually recommended for patients with a genuine fear of dental procedures. Still, it is also available for patients who have a strong gag reflex, who don’t respond well to numbing treatments, or who have physical limitations in their neck or jaw. Your dentist will ask about your concerns during a sedation consultation and recommend sedation options that will work for you.
The price of sedation dentistry varies depending on the type of sedation. The cost of sedation ranges from a few hundred dollars to more than $1000.
Oral sedation typically costs between $200-$300, not including the cost of the dental treatment. Moderate intravenous sedation and general anesthesia are administered by a dental anesthesiologist. The dental team can provide you with an accurate estimate of possible costs, but the sedation charge is separate from the procedure itself.
Uptown Dentistry offers financing options through respected lenders like Care Credit and Healthcare Financing Solutions. The friendly office staff at Uptown Dentistry will be happy to review the costs and payment options with you before scheduling your appointment.
Call Today for a Sedation Dentistry Consultation
If you experience fear of the dentist, have sensitive teeth, or have trouble sitting still for dental work, you are not alone. Call 713-766-1493 or visit Uptown Dentistry to schedule a sedation dentistry consultation in Houston, TX, with Dr. Roberto Velasco or Dr. Camilla Barrilleaux.