St. Louis Sedation, Sleep & Special Needs Dentistry :: The Dental Anesthesia Center

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sedation dentistry

6 Things to Do After Dental Sedation

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Here are 6 tips to help you feel normal as quickly as possible after dental sedation.

Patients are often scared of sedation, despite how safe the practice is. One of the crucial reasons why is the strange feelings that people experience when they come off of the sedative, which might include nausea, confusion, and disorientation. Here are 6 tips for fighting these possible side effects and feeling normal as quickly as possible after sedation.

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Have Somebody You Trust Take You Home

One thing you might experience after dental sedation is some degree of confusion and disorientation. While this feeling will generally go away quickly, you will want somebody you know and trust to greet you after your appointment to ensure your comfort. For this reason, we recommend having friends or family take you to the dentist and back, rather than utilizing rideshare services.

Find Your Activity Sweet Spot

There are two activity-related mistakes you can make after your appointment. The first is being too active. If you try to live your life exactly as you would any other day, you put yourself at risk of falling due to a lack of coordination. The other side of the coin is being too inactive. Moving around and getting your blood pumping will help make the sedative wear off and bring you back to normalcy.

Drink Water

Sedation often involves keeping you without water for the duration of your treatment. The result of this practice is you being incredibly thirsty when you leave the dentist. Additionally, water helps jumpstart your body and clear your head after your partial loss of unconsciousness. Your best bet after sedation is drinking a moderate amount of water right away, as long as you are not too nauseous.

Eat Manageable Foods

One of the most common symptoms of sedation is having an upset stomach for a short period of time. To avoid this outcome, you should stay away from sweets, spicy foods, and anything that causes digestive problems. Instead, stick to stomach-friendly meals until you’re feeling right again.

Take Your Medicine

Whether or not you’ll have medication to take depends on your sedation strength and the treatment you receive. Light sedatives usually have no associated medicine, but heavy sedation followed by a procedure likely will. Regardless, if your dentist prescribes medication to you, be sure to take is as instructed.

Don’t Be Afraid to Call Your Dentist

Dentists know that sedation can be confusing for patients. As a result, they usually send you home with an informational sheet about best practices. Still, you might run into an issue that you cannot figure out or concerns you. Don’t be afraid to call your dentist and get more information if this situation presents itself to you.

We hope that learning about these techniques helps ease your fears about dental sedation. Generally, it is a safe practice, despite a few manageable side effects. If you’re convinced that this type of dentistry is right for you, don’t hesitate to schedule an appointment and get the dental care you need.

Call (314) 862-7844

Why Sedation Dentistry Is Especially Useful for Parents

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Dental sedation can be an excellent choice for children who suffer from dental anxiety!

St. Louis child at dentist

Some St. Louis parents have no issues taking their child to the dentist. They simply make an appointment, bring their child in, stand by as the child gets their treatment, and leave without any stress. For other parents, this is not the case. This is because, for various reasons, their child has serious issues with seeing the dentist. The most common culprit is dental anxiety, which affects both children and adults. This may result in a fight every time that child needs dental care. Fortunately, there is a solution: sedation dentistry. Below, we explain why sedation dentistry is a useful tool for parents.

Dental Anxiety is Prevalent in Children

Though dental anxiety is found among all age groups, it is especially widespread among children. For many kids, the idea of going to the dentist is terrifying. It involves interacting with people they are not familiar with, hearing unpleasant sounds, and feeling the regular discomfort that comes from a visit to the dentist. While some children can easily brave through these factors, others are overcome by emotion and cannot.

Children Tend to Have Poor Emotional Control

When adults feel anxiety and fear, they can often manage them through the power of will and self-talk. For children, this task is much harder. Instead of being able to “tough out” their emotions, they are frequently overcome by them. The result in this situation is a child not being able to push their dental fears aside, and instead, being overwhelmed by them.

They Often Cannot Sit Still

Even if a child is not feeling anxious, they might be overactive. Every parent either has or has met a kid that just cannot sit still. Instead, they squirm and fight any time someone tries to make them do so. As you might imagine, this makes the dentist’s job much harder and increases the chance of a mistake being made.

Oral Health is Critical

A parent with an especially difficult child might decide to not see the dentist at all. They could get tired of fighting their children every time they try, so they give up entirely. Unfortunately, this can have dire consequences. Oral health is critical for children, and denying them regular dental visits will make it suffer.

How Sedation Can Help

When you take your child to a St. Louis sedation dentist, they will be given some form of sedation. Which type they receive will depend on their needs, but no matter what, it will relax them. This will allow your child to not feel the negative emotions they associate with trips to the dentist, and let your dentist work on their teeth without issue.

As a parent, your top priority is your child’s health. Because of this, it is natural for you to question how healthy sedation is. Here’s the good news: Sedation is generally safe for children. This has been proven throughout many decades of practicing medicine, so you do not have to worry. The summation of all of these factors makes sedation a safe solution to your child’s issues and a useful tool in making them as healthy as possible.

Give us a call today to schedule an appointment!

Call (314) 862-7844

3 Surprising Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

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Sedation dentistry means less time in the dentist’s chair and better results for your procedure.

Help with dental anxiety

If you have dental anxiety, you probably are looking for a sedation dentist in St. Louis. Sedation, whether it’s nitrous, oral sedation, or IV sedation, makes it much easier to have dental work done if you are afraid of the dentist, or have dental anxiety.

But even if you don’t have dental anxiety, sedation dentistry in St. Louis has a number of other surprising benefits! Read on to learn more about them.

1. It’s Easier To Sit Still For Longer Procedures

It takes about 90 minutes for the average root canal. If you’re having multiple crowns or filling placed or redone, you may be spending even longer in the chair – 30 to 45 minutes for each one.

And if you are having a lot of cosmetic work, such as bonding, whitening, and other procedures done at the same time, sedation dentistry can also help.

Even if you are a pretty calm person, you may start to get a little bit restless after sitting in a dentist’s chair for two hours – with nothing to do but look at your dentist, and keep your mouth open.

If you are sedated during your procedure, your level of consciousness will be diminished. In fact, it’s not unheard of for patients to fall asleep, even after smaller doses of sedative drugs. You won’t have to worry about being restless or bored.

2. The Dentist Can Work More Quickly

Dentists are able to work more quickly and effectively when their patient is sedated. If you are sedated, your dentist will be able to do their work quickly, without worrying about your reaction to the procedure slowing them down. This means less time in the dentist’s chair – and better results for your procedure.

3. Needles Won’t Scare You

Sure, fear of the dentist is quite common. But fear of needles is just as common – and often overlooked. Even if you’re not scared of the dentist, the idea of having your gums or tooth injected with numbing agents may frighten you if you suffer from fear of needles.

Sedation dentistry can help with this. You are much less likely to be nervous and anxious when the dentist injects you with numbing agents, and it’s easier to ignore the sensation – resulting in a stress-free dental experience.

St. Louis Sedation Dentist

Some people think that you must have dental anxiety to be sedated during dentistry. But this is not the case! You can be sedated during almost any procedure. Simply ask your St. Louis sedation dentist about your options, and get the medicine that you need to stay safe, comfortable, and anxiety-free during your next dental procedure.

Schedule an appointment: Call (314) 862-7844. We are a state-of-the-art dental facility for patients who require general anesthesia, deep sedation, or oral sedation for their dental care.

What Does it Feel Like When the Dentist Numbs Your Mouth?

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Avoiding your dental appointment because of fear or anxiety about your dental procedure will only make things worse.

Sedation Dentistry in St. Louis

There is a reason why people don’t always look forward to going to the dentist. There are times when oral care is not very comfortable. Avoiding the dentist will only make things worse but, take heart, there are a lot of ways to have oral procedures done so that you won’t even feel them.

According to the Mayo Clinic, some research suggests that there may be a link between oral hygiene, heart disease, dementia, and diabetes. This is just one reason why maintaining good oral habits, and going to the dentist is so essential to your overall health. Not just about aesthetics, although that is very important too, taking care of your teeth is integral to promote good health all the way around.

What does a dentist mean when they say they are going to “numb” your mouth?

Numbing is an excellent way to take away the pain of a dental procedure or treatment. Numbing your mouth requires either the use of nitrous oxide or “laughing gas,” an injection of medicine, or an oral pill. It is a great way to take away the sensation of both minor and complex dental procedures that don’t require heavy sedation.

The best type to use to give your mouth a numbing sensation depends on what your medical history is, your age, and the complexity of what you are having done. Numbing and oral sedation are even excellent tools to use for someone who is highly anxious about going to the dentist. Not only numbing your physical pain, but it can also help you deal with any anxiety that you are having so that you can sit back and relax in the dentist chair.

How long does your mouth remain numb?

When your mouth is numb, it causes you to lose control over the muscles in your mouth. That gives you a sensation like your mouth is asleep. Numbing of the mouth lasts for about an hour and may last even after the procedure is complete.

During the time that your mouth is numb, it is important not to eat things that are hard or chewy. Since you can’t feel anything, it is possible to hurt your mouth and be completely unaware. So, it is best to stick to soft foods until you can feel your lips and mouth again.

Discuss Your Options With your Dentist

There are many tools at a dentist’s disposal to help you get through an oral procedure without hardly feeling it. Depending on what you are having done, it is a good idea to sit down and discuss your concerns and options with the dentist.

Your age, your medical history, and your anxiety level will all be factors in deciding what type of sedation is best for you. Numbing is an excellent tool because it allows you not to feel anything until the medicine is worn off. It might feel a little weird, but it is a better alternative than feeling the pain of a dental procedure.

Call The Dental Anesthesia Center at (314) 862-7844 to schedule your appointment!

Will My Dental Insurance Cover Dental Sedation?

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Dental sedation may be covered by your insurance as it may be considered a medical necessity.

Dental Sedation in St Louis

If you are undergoing a series of dental procedures or treatments, or you need to have major oral surgery, and you are wondering if your dental insurance will cover the cost of having oral sedation, the answer is that it depends on the type of dental policy you have. Many dental insurance policies only cover up to a specified amount. The fee for the dental treatment, plus the cost of the sedation, may be over your policy’s coverage. But many sedation options are inexpensive.

It often depends on the type of sedation that is used. General anesthesia may be covered by your insurance as it may be considered a medical necessity. Sedation is a broad term because it is used to describe different levels of consciousness.

Types of Sedation Options

Nitrous oxide is a clear, odorless substance that is extremely effective to curb the anxiety that can come with oral treatment. It is the lowest level of sedation that you can have, and it is typically called “laughing gas” because it makes you feel euphoric. With nitrous oxide, you don’t lose consciousness. The patient who receives laughing gas is awake the entire time throughout the procedure, they are just in an altered state. Laughing gas is usually given in the dentist’s office, and the fee for it is very small.

Another type of minimal oral sedation involves the patient taking a pill before going to the procedure. When it takes effect, the patient typically falls asleep and rests peacefully throughout the treatment process. This is also a highly effective and extremely inexpensive form of oral sedation. Even if the medication is not covered by your dental insurance, it is a minimal cost that you can pay out of pocket.

If you have to have extensive or major oral surgery, then IV sedation might be required or recommended. IV sedation is more expensive than more minimally-invasive forms of sedation. It requires that an anesthesiologist be present – not just to place the IV, but also to monitor the procedure and to make sure that you are safe throughout the entire process. Since you are unconscious, a breathing tube is usually placed to ensure that you are getting enough oxygen.

It’s a much more invasive form of sedation, but if it is recommended and the oral surgery you are having is extensive enough, then it may be covered by your insurance – minus your deductible and at a rate that is predetermined by your policy itself.

Who Can Benefit from Dental Sedation?

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.

St. Louis Dental Anesthesia

If you or a loved one needs a dental procedure but requires dental sedation, we will help determine which level is best and how it works with your insurance policy. Call us today to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!

Is Dental Sedation Safe for Kids?

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Sedating a child for a dental procedure is normally very safe, but it’s important for parents to prepare their child for sedation.

Dental Sedation for Kids

Safety is always a parents’ top concern when it comes to protecting their child. This is especially true with regards to dental sedation. For children that are autistic or who are extremely young or nervous, a dentist may recommend sedation for dental procedures. Sedating a child is normally very safe, and there are things that parents can do to reduce the risks and stress level for their child before and after treatment.

Prior to Sedation

It is important for parents to understand what is happening so that they are prepared and can also help prepare their child. Before sedation, parents need to understand and follow the restrictions set by the dentist. For instance, they need to comply with food and drink restrictions prior to sedation. This is because sedation can pose the risk of the contents of the stomach being vomited and inhaled into the lungs. Therefore, the restriction is a safety precaution that is put in place.

It is also necessary for parents to provide a full medical history of their child and tell the dentist of any medications or supplements the child takes.

Types of Sedation

Minimal Sedation – an individual is conscious. This method is the lightest level of sedation. It involves a mild sedative, such as a Valium-like medication or Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas.) Using this kind of sedation requires no additional training for the dentist.

Moderate Sedation (Sedation Dentistry) – the patient is conscious and is referred to as “Sedation Dentistry.” Moderate Sedation allows the patient to simply respond to questions. You are not asleep for sedation dentistry. A dentist is required to receive two days of additional training when administering pills orally. Intravenous (IV) Sedation requires at least 60 hours of training or a dentist can be trained as part of a residency program.

Deep Sedation ( General Anesthesia Dentistry or Sleep Dentistry) – Using this method, there is no memory of the procedure. Dentists who provide this method require a two-year Dental Anesthesiology Residency or an Oral Surgery Residency. This is the recommended level of sedation for individuals unable to tolerate dental treatment for mental or physical reasons.

The sedation method for an individual is determined on the patient’s medical history, current physical and mental health. When you come in for your appointment, Dr. Hoffmann or Dr. Daugherty will decide which level is best for you.

During Sedation

During the procedure, ensuring the patient’s safety is of the utmost importance. While a patient is sedated, their blood oxygen level, blood pressure, heart rate, and temperature are closely monitored.

After Sedation

Typically parents are asked to be present when their child is waking up after sedation. A child can sometimes be confused or upset and will often feel nauseous. Due to longer-lasting effects such as dizziness, sleepiness, and loss of physical coordination, a child shouldn’t go back to school or daycare after their procedure.

The child should be monitored for the first few hours after sedation. If they experience severe pain, vomiting, fever or severe bleeding, parents need to immediately contact the dentist.

Sedation Dentistry for Children

When you and your child come in for your appointment, Dr. Hoffmann, Dr. Thoms, or Dr. Daugherty will decide which option is the best for your child depending on their anxiety level and cooperation. Call us today to schedule your appointment at (314) 862-7844. We look forward to meeting you!