Sedation Dentistry – Chaska, MN
Feel More Relaxed in the Treatment Chair
You’ve been putting off your needed dental checkup for months. When you finally get around to calling the office, it leaves you with your heart pumping for some time afterward. Once you arrive for your appointment, your palms start sweating and you can’t stop fidgeting. You hear them call your name, and your stomach turns into a knot.
Does this sound familiar to you? If so, our team here at White Oak Dental completely understands. Dental anxiety is incredibly common in the United States. In fact, millions of Americans avoid getting the dental care they need out of fear. Fortunately, your sedation dentist in Chaska, Dr. April Korte, offers nitrous oxide sedation to soothe your nerves and let you get the quality care you deserve. Contact us today to learn more!
Why Choose White Oak Dental for Sedation Dentistry?
-
Nitrous
Oxide
Available - Great for Patients with Sensitive Gag Reflexes
- We Accept Dental Insurance
Are You Scared of the Dentist?
It’s estimated that one out of every five Americans suffers from dental anxiety to some degree. However, this form of sedation isn’t only meant to alleviate your worries. You might benefit from being sedated if you need to undergo multiple procedures in one appointment. After all, it can be tiring to hold your mouth open for that long, and nitrous oxide can help greatly.
Other people who would make wonderful candidates for nitrous oxide sedation include those with sensitive teeth or gums or a touchy gag reflex that makes it difficult to get dental work done. Additionally, anxious children, patients with special needs, or those who have trouble sitting still for prolonged periods of time might also benefit from nitrous oxide sedation.
Patients with certain medical conditions, such as pregnancy or high blood pressure, might not be candidates for nitrous oxide. Dr. Korte can discuss your eligibility during your consultation.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Also known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is a highly safe sedation method that’s perfect for patients who need a little extra help feeling genuinely relaxed in the treatment chair. It’s administered through a mask that fits over the nose, and within minutes of breathing it in, a calmer, more comfortable atmosphere should fall over you. The biggest benefit of this technique is that the effects also wear off just as quickly as they begin; this means there’s virtually no recovery time needed for busy patients who would prefer to return to work right away after their appointment.
How Does Nitrous Oxide Sedation Work?
More commonly known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is a colorless gas that is inhaled through a small mask that we place over your nose. It earns this nickname due to the euphoric feeling it induces, giving many patients the giggles.
Once you begin breathing in the gas, waves of joy and relaxation will gently wash over you. While you’ll still be conscious, chances are you won’t remember much of your procedure at all. When we’re finished treating you, we’ll remove the mask and take you to a waiting area. The effects of the nitrous oxide should wear off within half an hour at most, allowing you to drive yourself home and resume your normal day afterward.
Benefits of Nitrous Oxide Sedation
In addition to soothing anxious patients, nitrous oxide has many benefits, including:
- Taking effect quickly
- Wearing off just as quickly
- Having an amnesiac effect
- Not requiring the use of needles
- The dosage is monitored during the procedure and can be adjusted as needed
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Will I remember anything with dental sedation?
Although nitrous oxide won’t put you to sleep, there’s a good chance that you won’t remember much of your time in the treatment chair. That’s one of the many reasons patients love this calming solution: in addition to alleviating anxiety, nerves, and worry, it helps form a more positive association with dental visits over time.
Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance?
Oftentimes, sedation dentistry is classified as a luxury and, therefore, isn’t covered by dental insurance. With that said, there are a few exceptions. For instance, if you need your wisdom teeth removed or a loved one is unable to get the dental care that they need without it, then your provider may cover a portion of the cost. So, don’t hesitate to provide us with your membership information! Since we work with Delta Dental, Cigna, and several others, we can help you utilize any benefits that are available.
Important reminder: Dental insurance isn’t the only financial solution that’s available at our office. We also welcome payment plans with Cherry and CareCredit. As a result, you may not have to pay for your entire treatment plan in one lump sum. If you’d like to learn more about flexible financing, including how to sign up, get in touch with us!
Is sedation dentistry worth it?
If you find out that you need to pay for the cost of sedation dentistry out-of-pocket, you might second-guess whether it’s really worth it. Of course, the answer is ultimately up to you. What we can share, however, is that nitrous oxide is extremely helpful for patients who struggle with dental-related anxiety, a sensitive gag reflex, a fear of needles, or head/neck/jaw pain in the treatment chair. If that’s the case for you, then the answer will likely be a resounding “yes.”
Does dental sedation put you to sleep?
With more powerful forms of dental sedation, like IV sedation, it’s common for patients to doze off. However, nitrous oxide is milder, so that doesn’t usually happen. If it does, then our sedation dentist in Chaska, Dr. April Korte, can gently wake you or allow you to rest while she provides the preventive, restorative, or cosmetic dental care that you need.
How long does it take to recover after sedation dentistry?
That depends on the type of dental sedation. The effects of nitrous oxide, for instance, wear off after only a few minutes. That’s why you don’t need to take the rest of the day off work or arrange for someone to drive you home from your appointment. You’ll be able to resume your usual routine immediately after!