Sedation Dentistry – Alba Dental

Sedation Dentistry in London, ON

Sedatives to help patients relax during dental procedures and enjoy anxiety-free dentistry.

Does your dental anxiety keep you from visiting your dental appointment? Dental anxiety is common amongst our patients. Fortunately, at Alba Dental Centre, our London dentists have a solution for you. We’re pleased to offer our patients the option of comfortable, safe, and effective sedation dentistry.

Keep reading to discover how you can benefit from sedation dentistry.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry allows your doctor to provide a variety of dental treatments safely and comfortably for patients who experience anxiety when visiting the dentist. Our dentists are licensed by the Canadian Dental Association to administer sedation. There are several benefits to sedation dentistry, including:

Types of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is closely regulated by law, and there are three sedative states in which your dentist can administer your treatment.

Mild Sedation

Anxiolysis is the lightest form of sedation dentistry and is often used for patients with mild anxiety, longer procedures planned, or more complex dental situations. Mild sedation is usually administered orally via a pill or mask in the case of nitrous oxide inhalation (laughing gas). You remain awake or sleepy throughout the entire procedure and can breathe on your own, but you will feel a great sense of relaxation.

Patients typically recover from anxiolysis sedation within a few hours after the procedure is complete.

Moderate Sedation

Moderate sedation is used for patients with moderate dental anxiety and for patients who need longer or more complex procedures. Conscious sedation allows you to remain awake throughout your procedure. However, you will be in a deep state of relaxation. IV sedation is often used for conscious sedation.

It’s recommended that patients who receive conscious sedation have a parent, spouse, or friend accompany them to appointments and drive them home. It can take several hours for the sedative to wear off, and driving may be unsafe.

Deep Sedation

Patients receiving deep sedation go between consciousness and unconsciousness during their dental procedure. Patients often have no recollection of the treatment and are unable to respond to commands even if they are awake at times during the procedure. It’s recommended that patients who receive deep sedation have a parent, spouse, or friend accompany them to appointments because it can take several hours for the sedative to wear off, and driving may be unsafe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sedation dentistry safe?

Yes, sedation dentistry is safe. Our dentists are qualified and licensed by the Canadian Dental Association to administer sedation. A member of our team will monitor you and your vital signs throughout the procedure to ensure you feel comfortable and your vital signs remain stable. If any issues arise during your procedure, we’ll stop and reverse the sedation at once.

How is sedation dentistry administered?

During your initial consultation, your dentist will provide you with sedation dentistry options and how you would like the sedatives to be administered. We provide two types of sedation administration methods:

Inhalation — Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is the most frequently used method for easing mild to moderate anxiety. Recovery is quick so you can resume your normal activities immediately
Oral — Another extremely common technique for dental sedation is oral sedation. It’s easy and doesn’t require the use of needles. You’ll be given a prescription pill which, taken about an hour before your appointment, will have you fully relaxed by the time you arrive at our office.

Will I feel any pain with dental sedation?

With a local anesthetic and your choice of sedation, you won’t feel pain or discomfort during the procedure. During the procedure, our dentists and team will periodically check in with you and alleviate any pain or discomfort.

After the procedure, the anesthetic and sedation will wear off and you may feel some soreness and discomfort. This can be alleviated by taking over-the-counter pain medication and cold compresses. If you continue to feel soreness or discomfort, call our London office at (519) 777-2020 to schedule your appointment.

Will my dental insurance cover the sedation dentistry cost?

Most insurance companies should be able to cover a portion of your cost. We recommend you speak with your insurance provider beforehand to learn more about your coverage plan. The cost depends on certain factors like what treatment you’re receiving, the type of sedation used, and your insurance coverage.

During your initial consultation, your dentist will provide you with the treatment timeline as well as the estimated cost and payment options we provide. If you have any questions about your insurance coverage, call our London office at (519) 777-2020 to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members.

Be At Ease With Sedation Dentistry

If you’re undergoing a complex dental procedure or feel anxious about your upcoming visit, we can provide you with a choice of sedation dentistry to put you at ease. Our dentists proudly offer their expertise in sedation dentistry to patients in London, ON as well as the surrounding areas including Strathroy, St. Thomas, and Ingersoll, ON.

Call our London office at (519) 777-2020 to schedule an appointment with one of our dentists. You can also fill out our online appointment form and one of our staff will get back to you promptly.

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Alba Dental Centre offers a complete range of dental care services. Try us out for yourself to see how we can help you feel more confident with your smile.