Sedation options

What it is

Comfort care is everything that helps you feel calmer and more in control during treatment. It starts with a few basics:

• Numbing. Local anesthetic (numbing medicine) blocks pain in the area being treated. A numbing gel is often put on first, so the injection feels like a small pinch.
• Explaining first. We tell you what we’re about to do before we do it, so nothing comes as a surprise.
• A signal to pause. Before we start, we agree on a signal, like raising your hand, that means “stop for a moment.”
• Breaks. You can ask for a break at any time to rest your jaw or catch your breath.

Sedation is different from numbing. It uses medicine to help you relax, and it’s usually added to numbing rather than used instead of it. Depending on the type, you might feel calm and fully awake, or drowsy enough that you remember little of the visit. Not every office offers every type, so ask the office which options are available here.

Who it helps

Comfort options, and sometimes sedation, can help if you:

• Feel anxious about dental care, or have put off visits because of it
• Had a painful or upsetting dental visit in the past
• Have a strong gag reflex
• Have teeth that are hard to numb
• Need a long visit or a lot of work at once
• Find it hard to sit still for long

Sedation isn’t right for everyone: some health conditions, medicines, and pregnancy can make certain types unsafe.

What happens

1. A conversation first. Tell us what worries you most: needles, sounds, gagging, or not knowing what’s coming. Saying it out loud helps us plan what to change.
2. A health review. If sedation might help, Dr. Minici goes over your health history, medicines, and allergies to see which options are safe for you. He may ask to talk with your physician.
3. Instructions for the day. Some types of sedation mean you can’t eat or drink for a while beforehand, and some mean you’ll need an adult to drive you home. You’ll get clear instructions ahead of time.
4. During the visit. We go over your pause signal and explain each step before it starts. You’ll still be numbed. If you have sedation, you’ll be watched closely the whole time, including your breathing and oxygen level.
5. Afterward. You rest until you’re ready to go. Some types wear off within minutes. With others, you’ll go home with your driver and take it easy for the rest of the day.

Recovery and aftercare

With numbing alone, you can usually drive and get on with your day. Your lip may stay numb for a few hours, so wait to eat until the feeling returns.

After sedation, follow the instructions you’re given. In general:

• Have an adult stay with you if you’re told to.
• Don’t drive, use machinery, or make big decisions until the effects are fully gone, which is often not until the next day.
• Call the office if you feel unwell or have questions. Call 911 if someone has trouble breathing or is very hard to wake.

Cost and insurance

Numbing is usually included in the cost of treatment. Sedation is usually billed on its own, and its cost depends on the type, how long it’s needed, and the monitoring involved.

Dental plans vary: some cover sedation only for certain procedures or needs, and some don’t cover it at all. Ask your plan before your visit. To learn about payment options, see insurance and financing.

Alternatives

If sedation isn’t right for you, other steps can make care easier:

• Shorter visits, with treatment split into smaller steps
• An appointment at a time of day when you feel calmest
• Practicing slow, steady breathing before and during the visit
• Talking with your physician if anxiety affects other parts of your life

If you need a kind of sedation that isn’t offered here, Dr. Minici can refer you to a provider who offers it.