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Almost half the population suffers from a dental phobia that can range from mild anxiety to a full-blown panic attack. Sleep dentistry is an effective method of enabling these individuals to receive the dental care they need without the debilitating effects of dental phobia.
The term sleep dentistry may be somewhat misleading because the patient may not be asleep. Rather, through the use of pain relievers and sedatives, the patient becomes very relaxed so that they’re able to receive the dental treatment they need without anxiety or fear. Usually, the patient remains awake, but they’re very relaxed.
We provide several options of sleep dentistry for our patients, depending on the procedure they’re having and their degree of discomfort. Our options include:
An oral sedative can be administered about 30 minutes before the procedure or even the night before the procedure. For the maximum comfort, we sometimes administer an oral sedative in conjunction with a local anesthetic. This completely relaxes the patient, so we recommend that you arrange for transportation home after your treatment if you’re having this type of oral Sedation.
Also known as laughing gas, nitrous oxide can be given at our office and will make you extremely relaxed. You’ll still be conscious and aware of your surroundings, but you’ll not feel any pain or anxiety.
Intravenous sedation, or IV sedation, is administered in conjunction with a local anesthetic and alleviates pain and anxiety. You’ll probably fall asleep, and many patients have no memory of the procedure when they’ve received IV sedation.
Sometimes, patients want to sleep through the entire procedure and not awaken until it’s complete. Our dentists offer general anesthesia for patients who want it. If you opt for general anesthesia, then you need to arrange for transportation home after your procedure.
There are many reasons why patients choose to have sleep dentistry, such as:
Whatever the reason, many of our patients opt to have sedation dentistry for their procedure. There’s no shame or stigma attached to it. It’s simply one of the best methods for ensuring the uncomplicated success of a procedure. It alleviates pressure on both the doctor and the patient, and we highly recommend it.
If you need dental work but have a fear of the dental chair, then Southland Dental Care can help. We provide sleep dentistry in a relaxing atmosphere that will benefit both you and your dentist.
Your good oral health is vital to your overall health, so don’t delay seeking needed dental treatment due to a fear of the dental chair. Whatever the level of your fear or apprehension about the dentist’s chair, we can help you overcome it so that you can get the treatment you need to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
The cost of your sedation dentistry will depend on the type of sedation used and the complexity of your procedure. However, the cost of sedation dentistry may be covered by your insurance provider, so check with them to determine if your insurance plan provides for sedation benefits. If you’ve checked with your plan provider and are still unsure, then call our office, and we’ll try to help you.
If you’re still undecided about getting the dental treatment that you need, read the patient testimonials on our website. We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can be assured you’ll be happy with your dental treatment.
Southland Dental Care is conveniently located in the heart of Sherman Oaks, and we provide easy access for our disabled patients. We’re open Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm and on Saturday by appointment. If you need dental treatment, don’t hesitate to call us. You may also schedule an appointment online at your convenience.