Many patients find visiting the dentist to be an anxiety-provoking experience. They may have had a bad experience at another dental practice or are anxious about what to expect during their upcoming appointment. Our team of compassionate dentistry professionals is here to provide you with necessary general dental care without sacrificing your mental health.
We take the time to get to know our patients, building trust and rapport, to help make your experience positive. Our patients love visiting our office because we are happy to help patients with dental anxiety overcome their fears. Learn more about our sedation dentistry solutions below.
Sedation Dentistry in Clinton, NC
Dr. Balzen and Dr. Helmer are experienced general dentists in Clinton, NC. They have a reputation for providing compassionate care to patients of all ages. Because some patients experience dental anxiety while sitting in the dental chair, our office is happy to provide sedation dentistry solutions to ensure all patients can be calm and comfortable when visiting his dental practice. Sedation dentistry solutions allow patients to relax at the dentist while remaining conscious and aware of what is going on around them.
Tips for Overcoming Dental Anxiety
Beyond sedation dentistry solutions, patients with dental anxiety may benefit from other techniques to ensure they remain calm and comfortable during their dental procedures. Having a trusted friend join you, and wait for you in the waiting room, can help ease your anxiety. Additionally, patients with dental anxiety are allowed and encouraged to bring their favorite music (and headphones) to use while their smile is being worked on.
At any point, if you have questions, please ask any of our compassionate team members. They are happy to inform you about our processes and procedures and let you know what to expect during upcoming appointments.
Dental Sedation FAQs
What should you not do before dental sedation?
Before your dental appointment requires sedation, it is important to remember to do a few things beforehand. We recommend that patients refrain from eating and drinking at least 8 hours prior to their appointment. Only water is ok to drink up until three hours before. Patients should also ask a friend or family member to pick them up from their appointment. Lastly, we recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing to your appointment.
Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?
Sedation dentistry is painless. We use a combination of sedation and anesthetic to ensure patients’ comfort throughout their treatment.
What can I expect after sedation dentistry?
After receiving IV sedation, patients may feel sleepy for a while. This typically wears off after a few hours. Our patients may anticipate some of the amnesia effects to last beyond the procedure, so it is a good idea to ask a friend or family member to drive you home.
Do insurance plans cover sedation dentistry?
Most insurance plans provide some coverage for sedation dentistry. However, the exact amount of coverage and whether or not you are eligible to receive it will depend on the terms of your specific policy. Insurance plans do not cover all sedation dentistry procedures. For instance, some plans do not cover twilight sleep and conscious sedation.
It is essential to check with your insurance provider to determine what sedation dentistry procedures they cover under your specific policy.
What are the 3 types of sedation?
There are three main types of sedation: Minimal Sedation, Moderate Sedation, and Deep Sedation. Minimal sedation involves the administration of medications to reduce anxiety or produce a relaxed state without impairing consciousness during medical procedures. Moderate sedation is an altered state of consciousness that allows patients to respond relatively normally to verbal commands while providing more than minimal sedation. Deep sedation produces an even deeper level of sleep-like unconsciousness that requires artificial support and monitoring by healthcare professionals.
What dental procedures utilize dental sedation?
Common procedures that can use sedation include deep cleanings, surgeries, extractions, and root canals. Sedation dentistry does not eliminate pain. Sedation helps the patient feel more comfortable and reduces the amount of anxiety felt during the procedure. Different levels of sedation are available depending on the procedure your dentist or oral surgeon plans to perform and how much anxiety or discomfort the patient may experience. Ultimately, it’s up to your dentist or oral surgeon to recommend the type of oral sedation that is best for you before they perform any procedure.
Schedule An Appointment
If you are looking for a compassionate dentist in Clinton, NC, visit Clinton Family & Cosmetic Dentistry. Our dental professionals will work with you to overcome your dental anxiety and enjoy visiting the dentist again for many years to come. Schedule an appointment online! We look forward to seeing you soon.