Oral Sedation Dentistry – Lorain, OH
Complete Calm During Your Endodontic Treatment
There’s nothing to fear from root canal therapy; your mouth will be numbed at the beginning of the procedure to ensure that you experience no discomfort while the tooth is being treated. However, many patients might still find it hard to relax during an endodontic appointment, especially if they have a history of dental anxiety. Luckily, by administering oral sedation before your treatment begins, Dr. Vaziri and Dr. James can put your worries to rest. The oral sedation effect will last a few hours so you will need a designated driver to take you to the dental office and back home after your appointment. If you would like additional help staying comfortable during your procedure, be sure to ask about oral sedation dentistry in Lorain or Middleburg Heights when you first give our office a call or during your initial examination.
Why Choose Parkway Endodontics of Lorain for Oral Sedation Dentistry?
- We Take Anxious Patients Seriously
- Two Experienced, Trustworthy Endodontists
- Trusted by Middleburg Heights Since 2004
What Is Oral Sedation Dentistry?
Oral sedation dentistry is often recommended as a way to help patients who would otherwise have a difficult time relaxing when having endodontic treatment performed. Usually, it involves two pills. One that is taken the night before your procedure and the second one an hour before your procedure begins. There are different kinds of sedatives that might be used, and some are stronger than others. Your height, your weight, medical history, and the type of treatment you need will all need to be taken into account before an appropriate sedative can be selected.
How Does Oral Sedation Work?
A review of your medical history will be performed so that we can confirm that it’s safe for you to receive oral sedation. If prescribed two pills, you will need to take the first one the night before your appointment. Then the day of your appointment, you will need to swallow the second pill roughly an hour prior to your procedure so that it has time to take effect. The sedative likely won’t wear off for several hours, so you shouldn’t plan on driving home by yourself after your treatment; be sure to make arrangements with one of your friends or family members instead.
Are You a Good Candidate for Oral Sedation?
There are many patients who can potentially benefit from oral sedation. You might consider it if:
- You are nervous or excessively worried about having endodontic treatment done.
- You have a strong gag reflex that often gets in the way of treatments.
- You’re undergoing a procedure that is expected to take a long time.
- You generally have trouble sitting still for prolonged periods.
Please let us know if anything in the list above applies to you; we’ll check to see if you’re a candidate and work with you to decide whether you should move forward with oral sedation.
Oral Conscious Sedation FAQs
Will Sedation Put Me to Sleep?
No, oral conscious sedation, as the name suggests, doesn’t render you unconscious. Some patients feel relaxed enough to fall asleep independently, but you should remain awake and able to respond to our team during your appointment on this sedation. Afterward, you may find it difficult to remember the details of your time in the chair because the medication can have an amnesiac effect.
Why Is Oral Conscious Sedation Particularly Helpful for Endodontic Treatment?
Whether due to hearing embellished horror stories of bad experiences or believing pervasive myths, unfortunately, some people believe that root canals and other endodontic treatments are scary and painful. In fact, in many cases, it’s anxiety about this procedure that keeps them from getting care they need in the first place. As a result, these patients can find these kinds of treatment particularly intimidating and nerve wracking. To take away the fear and discomfort, we take advantage of oral conscious sedation to make the entire experience more enjoyable and successful.
Is Oral Conscious Sedation Covered by Dental Insurance?
Although there may be some exceptions, dental insurance plans generally do not pay toward the cost of oral conscious sedation. These companies usually regard sedation as an optional service. However, many of our patients find that this “extra” expense is well worthwhile because it keeps the experience relaxing and stress free. In addition, we accept payment through financing, which means the amount is divided into monthly installments that are easier on your wallet and budget.
Where Will I Get the Prescribed Pills for Sedation?
Getting your sedation medication will be just like filling a prescription from your primary care physician or other medical doctor. We will submit a prescription to your preferred pharmacy, and you’ll pick it up. You’ll need to take it as directed, but if you have any questions or concerns, be sure to reach out to us.
Does Oral Conscious Sedation Require Planning Ahead?
Yes, it does. While other forms of sedation can be administered there at the office, we use oral conscious sedation, which entails prior planning. In other words, you cannot decide the day of your procedure that you want sedation. We need to know in advance about your desire to take advantage of sedation, and we need to discuss your medical history and other details so that we prescribe the right medication, and you’ll have to take it before your appointment begins. So, if you are interested in this option, plan ahead and let us know.
