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Sedation Dentistry

One of the top reasons many people don’t seek dental care that can solve a range of problems with teeth and gums is summed up in one simple word: fear. Dental anxiety that keeps you from going to the dentist can ultimately have a severe impact on your oral health, and turn easily treatable problems into conditions that are much worse. Fortunately, sedation dentistry can help. Sedation techniques available at our practice are designed to provide patients with a more relaxed, comfortable, and stress-free procedure. With sedation dentistry, you can reduce your fears and anxieties and obtain the care you need.

Our skilled dentists in Monmouth County, Dr. Peter Ciampi and Dr. Andrew Morris, hold Enteral Sedation Permits from the state of New Jersey, and Spring Lake Dental Care offers oral conscious sedation for our patients who suffer from dental anxiety. In addition to our conscious sedation techniques, our practice offers the services of a board-certified physician anesthesiologist who can administer IV sedation for patients who would like to remain completely asleep throughout treatment. Dental care under IV sedation is available in our office on a case-by-case basis for a limited type of dental procedure as determined by the doctor. Upon completion of a comprehensive dental examination with radiographs, the doctor will determine if you are a candidate for IV sedation dentistry performed in our office.

Sedation dentistry can not only alleviate your fear of dental procedures, but it can also make the time you spend in the dentist’s chair seem like no time at all!

Am I a Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?

Candidates for oral conscious sedation dentistry include those who have:

  • Anxiety or fear of dentists/dental procedures
  • Sensitive teeth
  • A fear of needles
  • Difficulty feeling numbness after Novocaine injections
  • Aversion to tastes and noises typically associated with dental care
  • Past traumatic dental experiences
  • Dental issues that will take a longer-than-usual period of time in the dentist’s chair

There is a host of reasons people may have that can make them eligible for sedation while being treated. Please contact our practice for details.

Why Choose Conscious Sedation Dentistry?

Conscious sedation dentistry is useful for people who need dental treatment, but would rather have no memory of the actual treatment process. This option is designed for people who have fear or anxiety that makes it difficult for them to even set foot in a dentist’s office. Conscious sedation dentistry essentially puts you in a monitored, sleep-like state for the duration of your procedure. You do not feel pain, and a member of our team is at your side constantly to make sure you are okay.

Since you will be sedated, you will need someone to take you to our office and back home on the day of your procedure. The effects of sedation can last anywhere from two to six hours.

What Is Conscious Sedation Dentistry?

Conscious sedation dentistry is a means of putting you in an extremely relaxed state for your dental treatment, without the need for IV sedation. You will be given a small pill to take about an hour before your appointment. Once you arrive at our office (with help from a friend or family member) you will already feel very drowsy or perhaps be required to take another pill in the office. During your procedure, members of our dental team will monitor your vital signs throughout your visit. Conscious sedation does not induce full sleep, but rather an intensely relaxed state that mimics sleep. You will still be able to communicate with our dentist during the procedure. Once your treatment is over, you will be awakened, and will likely not remember the procedure even taking place.

What Is IV Sedation?

IV sedation is typically beneficial for patients who have extreme levels of dental anxiety and for those who are undergoing very complex and lengthy procedures. IV sedation utilizes a combination of liquid sedatives administered through a needle intravenously. This allows patients to fall asleep during the procedure and have no memory of the treatment. Vital signs will be monitored at all times. Individuals who have IV sedation should prepare to be quite tired and groggy for a few hours following the procedure, so it is necessary for a friend or family member to provide transportation from the office after treatment.

At Spring Lake Dental Care, all IV sedation techniques in our office are overseen by board-certified anesthesiologists. We are happy to have these specially trained physicians to provide our patients who have dental anxiety with safe and effective care. We provide IV sedation in our office on a case-by-case basis as determined by the doctor.

What Are the Side Effects of Sedation Dentistry?

The potential side effects of sedation dentistry vary according to which technique is performed. If you undergo oral conscious sedation for your procedure, you will experience some level of grogginess and sleepiness after treatment. Some patients may even have a “dry mouth” feeling that should dissipate fairly quickly. Other temporary side effects of oral conscious sedation may include dizziness, headache, and a “light-headed” sensation; however, these are not experienced by everyone.

If you undergo IV sedation, you can expect to feel very drowsy and groggy after the procedure. These are typically the only major side effects from IV sedation experienced by most individuals. Because it may take several hours for the effects of IV sedation or oral conscious sedation to fully wear off, it will be necessary to arrange for someone to take you home following the procedure.

It is very important to note that patients should be completely forthcoming about any current or previous medical conditions, allergies, or other health concerns so that our dentist can make a safe and accurate determination of candidacy for sedation dentistry.

How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?

The cost of sedation dentistry can range from $295 to $850 per hour, depending on the type and duration of the sedation. If you choose to have oral conscious sedation or IV sedation during your procedure, the cost of the specific technique used will be included in the price of your overall treatment. Once your treatment plan is developed during the initial consultation, a member of our team will calculate a total cost estimate that includes all associated expenses and go over it with you in detail. Our practice is committed to offering competitive rates for our services, and we accept a variety of convenient payment methods. If you are interested in paying for your procedure over time, we work with CareCredit®, a popular dental financing agency which offers an array of low- to no-interest payment plans for qualified applicants. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have about how you can bring the cost of treatment into your budget.

Don’t let fear and anxiety keep you from achieving a healthier, brighter smile! Dr. Ciampi, Dr. Morris, and our team can incorporate sedation dentistry with porcelain veneers, teeth whitening, dental implants, and even minor dental procedures to give you effective dental treatment without the stress.

Contact our oral conscious sedation dentist in Monmouth County for more information.