Sedation Dentistry

Your comfort during your dental treatment is important to us. We use several different levels of sedation depending on the type of procedure and your own personal needs to manage pain or anxiety.

At Herre Holistic Dental KC, we understand that attending a dental appointment is not always a comfortable experience. As such, our team strives to be as accommodating as possible through the provision of sedation services. Let us make your care visit as comfortable and stress-free as possible.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

As the name suggests, sedation dentistry employs the use of sedative medications to keep patients calm and relaxed during their visit. Though the patient is usually awake during their interaction with the dentist, the sedatives work to keep them at ease throughout any procedure they’re having done.
Dr. Herre explains the importance of sedation dentistry
Sedation is not available in all dental settings, so for individuals who are anxious about the idea of receiving treatment, it’s important to book an appointment with a dentist who is certified to provide sedation services.

While dental care is necessary in order to maintain optimal oral hygiene and health, many people put off regular visits due to being anxious or uncomfortable with the idea of visiting their local dentist.

Because dental phobias and dental anxiety are such common issues, Herre Holistic Dental KC offers sedation dentistry as a solution.

If you’re nervous about visiting a dentist or getting your teeth cleaned, read on to determine whether sedation dentistry is right for you.

When Do We Use Sedation in Dentistry?
The levels of sedation include the following:

  1. Patients who need significant work done
  2. Patients who suffer from dental anxiety
  3. Patients with a very low pain tolerance
  4. Patients who struggle to sit still
  5. Patients who have a strong gag reflex
What to Expect From Sedation
When you schedule an appointment for sedation dentistry services, the team member who assists you will explain the rules to follow on the day of your appointment. They’re typically simple and involve arranging a ride home and limiting food and drinks for a certain length of time before your appointment.

When you arrive at your appointment, the dentist will discuss the sedation plan with you and confirm any important medical information on your part.

During sedation, you will either relax or drift into unconsciousness while the procedure takes place. You’ll experience no pain and you likely will not remember the details of the procedure.

You may feel drowsy or somewhat nauseated as the sedative medication wears off, and it’s advisable to go home and rest after the procedure. Once the medication is no longer affecting you, you can recover from your procedure as normal.

Levels of Dental Sedation

Depending on the procedure a patient needs to undergo, or the reason why sedation services are requested, there are several types and levels of sedation available.

For example, sedation may be provided in the form of oral medications, gas applications, or an IV solution.

The levels of sedation include the following:

  1. Mild sedation: This is the most common level of sedation in sedation dentistry. At this level, the patient is awake but in a relaxed state which also reduces their sensitivity to pain.
  2. Moderate sedation: With this form of sedation, the patient is still technically awake, but they’re a bit more affected by the medication and may appear to be intoxicated.
  3. Deep sedation: This sedation level is similar to the period in which people start nodding off to sleep. Though they’re not quite unconscious, they’re very relaxed and likely will not be very aware of the procedure as it occurs or after it has been completed.
  4. General anesthesia: This sedation level is common in surgeries, and patients who are put under general anesthesia are completely unconscious until the medication wears off.

If a patient is simply feeling nervous about having their teeth worked on, a mild sedative might be the best option. However, if a patient is about to undergo a particularly long or invasive procedure, general anesthesia might be best. The level of sedation is usually determined by the patient’s dental team.

Schedule an Appointment

If you’re nervous about visiting a dentist, don’t let it stop you from maintaining your oral health. Call our office today at 913-491-4466 to ask about sedation dentistry or request an appointment.
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Amazing care!!! They were able to get me in when I couldn’t get in to see where my Family Dentist referred. That location referred me to Dental Health by Herre. Dr. Herre was extremely thorough and very concerned about my oral health. I would recommend this to anyone!!

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Tracy M.
Leawood, KS

Location

Herre Holistic Dental KC

11201 Nall Avenue
Suite 120
Leawood, KS 66211

Hours

Monday: 9:00am - 5:00pm
Tuesday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Wednesday: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Thursday: 7:00am - 3:00pm