Sedation Dentistry in Hewitt, TX

Stress-Free Dental Appointments

Dental anxiety is a more common issue than most people realize, preventing up to 20% of patients from receiving the care that they need to maintain a healthy smile. If you’re one of these patients, we offer three forms of sedation to help you relax during your procedure.

Explore our guide to learn about your sedation options.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas, is the most common form of dental sedation. It’s administered through a small mask that we place over your nose. You’ll feel the effects almost immediately after breathing it in.

Nitrous oxide will send a wave of relaxation and euphoria through your body. You’ll remain awake and responsive throughout the procedure, though you likely won’t remember it later. The effects of nitrous oxide can also be reversed very quickly, allowing you to drive yourself home.

Oral Conscious Sedation

For oral conscious sedation, you’ll take a small pill an hour or two before your procedure. By the time you arrive at our office, the medication will have kicked in. Similar to nitrous oxide, you’ll remain conscious throughout your treatment, but will have little to no memory of it later.

Since this method involves taking medication before you arrive, you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you to your appointment. You’ll also need a ride home to ensure your safety, as the sedation effects may not wear off right away.

IV Sedation

The third and final option we feature is IV sedation. For this method, we’ll administer a sedative directly to your bloodstream through an IV tube. The effects will kick in almost immediately, putting you in a state of deep relaxation for the remainder of your procedure.

As with the other methods, you won’t actually lose consciousness, but you’ll have no awareness during your treatment and won’t remember it later. One of our doctors will monitor your vital signs through the entire appointment to ensure your safety. Please note that you’ll need a ride home after undergoing IV sedation, as the effects may linger for an hour or two after your procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is sedation dentistry safe?

Sedation dentistry is completely safe and beneficial for patients who struggle with any form of dental anxiety. At our Hewitt practice, Dr. Sager offers three types of sedation options for patients, including nitrous oxide, an oral pill, and IV sedation. Depending on the treatment you’ll receive, our dentists will closely monitor the level of sedation you receive.

How does sedation dentistry work?

Sedation dentistry is an easy, effective treatment that helps our patients remain relaxed, stress-free, and comfortable. Depending on which type of sedative we use, you’ll either remain conscious throughout your procedure while experiencing no pain, or you may completely doze off and not remember much of the treatment.

If you receive nitrous oxide or IV sedation, we’ll provide it to you when you come into our office for your appointment. If you have oral sedation, we will give you the medication ahead of time so you can take it an hour before your appointment.

How long do the effects of sedation last after a procedure?

The exact recovery time after receiving sedation depends on how much was administered as well as the procedure you underwent. If you receive nitrous oxide, the effects generally wear off after treatment. If it’s through an oral pill, it may take 18 hours for your body to metabolize the medication. Our Hewitt office recommends that you avoid strenuous activity and have a designated driver ready to pick you up.

Is sedation dentistry covered by dental insurance?

Some dental insurance providers may cover the sedation cost for your procedure, but this depends on the company. We recommend calling your provider to get an accurate understanding of your coverage. At Central Texas Dental Care, our team will always offer help to our patients who may need assistance with their insurance provider. We can help you with affordability with our financing options.

Feel Relaxed During Your Next Dental Visit

Dental anxiety can cause you to skip out on the dentist out of fear of potential pain or discomfort. That’s why to alleviate your worries, Dr. Sager and our team of dentists provide patients with sedation dentistry. Whether it’s getting a filling or implants, our helpful staff will find you the level of sedation that’s right for you.

Schedule a consultation today by calling our Hewitt office at (254) 666-1686 or by filling out our convenient contact form below. We proudly serve patients who reside in the West Waco, Robinson, and Woodway neighborhoods.