Sedation Dentistry with Your Langley Dentist

When patients have anxiety about a dental procedure, conscious sedation (Sleep Dentistry) can help ease their minds and reduce discomfort during comprehensive dental care. If you have an upcoming procedure at Lighthouse Dental Centre in Langley, you maybe wondering what sedation dentistry is, how it works and what it feels like.

What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry uses medication and local anesthesia to help you feel more relaxed and ease discomfort during an appointment at a dentist's office.

We often use this type of sedation when patients have anxiety about dental procedures including cleanings, dental fillings, root canals, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, dental veneers, dental crowns, dental bridges, teeth whitening in-office, dental X-rays and dental extractions including wisdom teeth. Today, sedation dentistry is also known as procedural sedation and analgesia, or PSA. It also goes by other names, like conscious oral sedation, laughing gas, happy gas or happy air. For minimally invasive procedures like Botox we typically do not use sedation but is always an option.

There are three levels of sedation at a dentists office: 

What is the Difference Between Oral Sedation Dentistry and General Anesthesia?

With sedation dentistry and general anesthesia, the goal is to eliminate discomfort and anxiety about medical procedures for patients. But these two types of sleep dentistry differ in many ways.

Sleep Dentistry at the Dentists Office

Conscious oral sedation

IV Moderate Anesthesia - Surgeons Office or Hospital

IV sedation sleep dentistry
General Anaesthesia patient

How Does Sleep Dentistry Work?

The process of conscious sedation will depend on the procedure. We'll explain how it works so that you know what to expect at our Langley office.

From routine dental procedures at our office, such as dental fillings, dental crown replacements or root canals to dental emergency treatment you have the option to request conscious sedation. With these procedures, we typically use local anesthesia. However, our dentist will be happy to fulfill patient requests for conscious sedation to make the procedure as stress-free as possible.

What Does Sleep Dentistry Feel Like?

Nitrous oxide sleep dentistry

Most of our dental care Langley patients describe sedation as feeling very relaxed or drowsy, but the effects can vary from person to person. Any fear, anxiety or stress you felt about the procedure should fade away.

You may also feel:

What are the Side Effects of Sleep Dentistry?

The side effects of conscious sedation can last for a few hours and may include:

Although these effects can last for a few hours, most of our Langley dental patients recover from conscious sedation relatively quickly.

What Happens After the Procedure Depends On

With some procedures, sedation dentistry is a standard part of the procedure. In this case, the costs may be covered by insurance. However, if it isn't required, it may not be covered by your dental plan.If you request or elect conscious sedation, you may be responsible for all or some of the costs. You can expect to spend the following in Langley:

Conscious Sedation is a Simple Way to Ease Dental Anxiety at the Dentist

If you have anxiety about a dental procedure sedation dentistry may be a good option for you. Our Langley staff will be happy to discuss your options and help you find the best solution to ease your anxiety and make sure that you're comfortable during the procedure.

The side effects are minimal and there are rarely any complications. If you're worried about a procedure, having the option to use sleep dentistry may make it easier to go to your Langley dentist appointments.

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