Visit our office to determine which type of sedation dentistry is best for you or your loved one.
One of the issues that you might have with sedation dentistry is not knowing which type of sedation you will receive. Fortunately, a variety of guidelines help make this decision, many of which are listed in the sections below. Of course, talking to a sedation dentist in person is the best way to find out which type of sedation is best for you or your loved one.
Everything went great today for her surgery but I do have some feedback about other things. My daughter was scheduled to be put to sleep to undergo a root canal. They ended up needing more anthesia which I was willing to pay for. Surgery was supposed to be an hour (I was told this before they started), and it ended up being 2 hours because of some minor complications. Noone came to the lobby to inform us. When it was over, I asked to see her. They said I had to pay first. I just paid almost 5k and they were more worried about an additional $300 before allowing me to see my daughter? This didn't sit right. I didn't say anything. I paid the bill and went to see my daughter. Dr. Hoffman is the nicest man I have ever met! He was outstanding.
Also, in the weeks before her surgery, the office appeared to not communicate. I would receive a call saying one thing then someone else would say another. They were never on the same page.
Last week, they needed to speak with me to confirm a few things. They called me at 8:16am then again at 1:06pm. Leaving me a voicemail that if they do not hear from me they were going to cancel her surgery. Wow! I work. I work 8am-5pm. I do not have access to my phone during those hours. They did leave a voicemail and I would have called the next day but they did not give me a chance before sending me an email threatening to cancel.
Also, they had called me several weeks before to inform me I had no insurance. I called my insurance company and they said I did. Not sure what happened but it resulted in unnecessary phone calls during my only free 20 minutes at work.
If your appointment is at 10am, do not plan on seeing anyone for awhile. All our appointments ran an hour behind.
I think Dr. Hoffman is wonderful but the office staff needs some help.
Not friendly at all. Noone even smiled!
The nurses in the room with my daughter were great too.
I went to nervous and 3 to 4 hours later, I essentially woke up in the car on my way home without realizing anything had happened. If you have trauma with previous dental issues, this is the place. I have a had severe dental trauma my entire life. Until now, they are all fantastic.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your experience. We’re grateful our team could help provide a comfortable experience and appreciate your trust in us.
Our experience was wonderful. Our Down’s Syndrome son is very apprehensive about his appointments, but Dr. Thoms and all of his staff made our son more compliant. Each member seems vested in their job and are so kind and caring. Thank you for a positive experience.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad your family had a positive experience. Our team takes great pride in providing compassionate, individualized care, and your feedback means so much to us!
Everyone is always very welcoming and professional.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your kind words! We’re so glad our team makes you feel welcome. We truly appreciate your support!
Severity of Condition
Whether you have anxiety, low pain tolerance, or any other condition, your issue will fall on a spectrum. Relatively mild cases will require weaker sedatives, while more severe issues will call for stronger ones. As an example, you might treat a minor case of anxiety with a pill, rather than nitrous oxide or IV sedation. Having a disease that causes uncontrollable physical movement would likely require those stronger treatments.
Fear of Needles
People that have a deep fear of needles often cannot take IV sedation. In this case, they have two options. The first is using nitrous oxide instead. The second is utilizing nitrous oxide for initial sedation, then adding the IV in once they are partially unconscious.
Type of Treatment You’re Receiving
Another factor is what kind of treatment you’re receiving. As you might imagine, a quick dental cleaning might not call for strong sedatives. On the other hand, an extended procedure definitely would, even for people who do not have issues going to the dentist.
Each Patient is Different
There are different levels of sedation for each patient. The sedation method for an individual is determined on the patient’s medical history and current physical and mental health.
Individuals with anxieties, phobias, severe gag reflex, or difficulty getting numb are candidates for the center’s general anesthesia services. In addition, young children or individuals with physical or mental disabilities who are unable to cooperate for dental treatment can benefit from these services.
Sleep and Special Needs Dentistry
As you now know, the kind of sedative you will receive depends on a multitude of factors. They include the severity of your condition, fear of needles, what treatment you need, available equipment, personal preference, and your dentist’s preference. The good news is that you don’t have to go through the complicated process of choosing on your own.
Your initial oral examination includes a visual examination, charting, diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Call us today to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!
