Sedation Dentist – Denton, TX
Making Your Visits More Relaxing
Dental phobias prevent far too many adults from receiving the oral care they need. Whether caused by a previous, traumatic accident or the simple fear of giving up control, if you’re avoiding necessary dental work due to your anxiety, sedation dentistry can help you overcome your barriers -- and Dr. Ted Dunson is the sedation dentist Denton, TX trusts!
Why Choose Southridge Dental Family & Cosmetic Dentistry for Sedation Dentistry?
- Nitrous Oxide and Oral Conscious Sedation Offered
- Relaxing, Family-Friendly Atmosphere
- Caring and Loyal Dental Team
Overcoming Your Dental Phobia
Healthy teeth that last a lifetime require regular attention from a dentist you trust. In fact, an excellent dentist can actually help you overcome your anxiety and fear. As your dentist in Denton, Dr. Dunson and the team at Southridge Dental Family & Cosmetic Dentistry take the necessary time to help patients feel relaxed in the dental chair.
What does that mean, exactly? Your dentist will talk you through each step of your treatment to make sure there are no surprises. We’ll also allow you to take breaks as needed -- there’s no reason to rush through your treatment if it comes at the expense of your nerves. And we’ve always got time to answer questions or address any concerns you may have.
In addition to our calming, compassionate approach to your dental care, we’ve also got two options in sedation dentistry to help you relax more fully: nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation.
Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Known more familiarly as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide provides the relaxing experience patients with mild to moderate anxiety need while undergoing dental treatments. You breathe nitrous oxide through a nasal mask throughout your time in the dental chair. Its sedative effects help to remove you from the sights, smells, and sounds of the dental office. One of the best things about nitrous oxide is that its effects wear off immediately -- meaning you can go on about your day as usual once your treatment is complete and the mask is removed.
Learn More About Nitrous Oxide Dental Sedation
Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
For patients dealing with more significant dental fear, or for those undergoing longer dental treatments, oral conscious sedation offers a deeper level of relaxation. You’re still technically awake throughout your dental treatment, but you’re relaxed and removed from what’s going on around you.
To help you achieve oral conscious sedation, Dr. Dunson will prescribe a pill for you to take about an hour before your appointment. You should plan for someone to drive you to the dentist's office, as its effects will have begun to take over by the time you’re settling into the chair.
Oral conscious sedation can be combined with a local anesthetic to ensure you don’t feel anything at all at the treatment site. Once your procedure is complete, we’ll escort you to our comfortable recovery room until you feel ready to go home. Plan for your ride to drive you away from your appointment, too, and don’t make any plans for the rest of the day.
Learn More About Oral Conscious Dental Sedation
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Sedation dentistry is generally considered safe when administered by a qualified professional like Dr. Dunson. The medications used aren’t known to cause lasting negative impacts and tend to wear off quickly. For example, nitrous oxide (or laughing gas) is considered harmless for most people, including children. It also dissipates within moments once you stop inhaling it and typically doesn’t have side effects.
That said, our team will monitor your stats the entire time you are sedated to ensure that nothing drops to dangerous levels. We want to improve your oral condition, but not at the cost of your overall health!
Will I remember anything with dental sedation?
Many people believe that sedation dentistry puts them in a state of unconsciousness, but that’s not usually the case. With nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation methods, you’ll most likely be comfortable but aware of your surroundings. You might not remember every detail of your procedure after the fact, but you also won’t be “knocked out” for it.
What does it feel like to be sedated at the dentist?
The sensations that occur depend on the type of medication being given. If you opt for nitrous oxide, you’ll have a mask placed over your nose that dispenses the laughing gas. As you inhale it throughout your visit, you’ll start to feel light, relaxed, and euphoric. You might get a case of giggles, which is how this drug got its nickname. You might still feel what’s happening, but patients describe it as pressure rather than pain.
Meanwhile, oral conscious sedation induces an even deeper sense of calm. You might have a hard time staying awake or responding to a question and might even doze off for a nap. This takes longer to leave your system, but you should be back to normal after a solid night’s rest.
How much does sedation dentistry cost?
Typically, nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation cost a few hundred dollars, although it can depend on your unique circumstances. The price can vary based on how long your procedure is and how much medication is used during that time.
In many cases, insurance doesn’t cover the price of these medications because dental sedation is considered a “luxury.” However, if it’s impossible for you to receive treatment without it, there may be exceptions. It depends on your policy, so you might want to verify what’s included ahead of time.
If you’re uninsured, don’t lose hope! We partner with CareCredit to offer flexible financing, so if you’re approved, you can break down your total payment into more manageable installments.