Sedation Dentistry – Mississauga, ON
Feel Completely at Ease During Dental Procedures
Although maintaining oral health is incredibly important both for a person’s smile and quality of life, many people struggle with dental-related anxiety. Feeling nervous or afraid of undergoing oral treatment can keep you from improving or even fixing your pearly whites when it’s necessary, and our team wants to ensure that you can get the care you need. That’s why we’re happy to offer sedation dentistry in Mississauga! Our team can provide IV sedation so that patients can undergo any procedure while remaining as calm as possible for a more pleasant experience. Not only does the medication work quickly, but it’s also quite effective and long-lasting. Keep reading to learn more about our sedation dentistry service or give us a call today to schedule an appointment!
Why Choose Meadowvale Family Dentistry for Sedation Dentistry?
- Comfortable Service for Those with Dental Anxiety
- Payment Plans Available
- Simplified Process for Ultimate Relaxation
IV Sedation
At Meadowvale Family Dentistry, we are happy to offer IV sedation to help patients stay calm and comfortable while receiving any form of dental care, whether you are undergoing a wisdom tooth extraction or getting dental implants to rebuild your smile. This particular option is designed to get you relaxed by injecting a sedative intravenously, or directly into your bloodstream. Since it is administered directly into the veins, you can expect the effects to begin quickly. This sedation option may make you feel sleepy, but you will still be aware enough to respond to simple instructions and questions.
What Is IV Sedation?
IV sedation uses a medication that is administered directly into your bloodstream via a small needle on your hand or arm. It is sometimes called “twilight sedation” because even though you will not be totally unconscious, you are unlikely to remember anything after your appointment.
During your treatment, our team will closely monitor your vitals so we can look after your safety. We will also adjust your level of sedation as necessary. The sedative is quite powerful; the effects can persist for several hours after your visit. That is why you’ll need to arrange for a trusted friend or family member to take you to and from your appointment. Our team will be more than happy to walk you through the details of this sedation option so that you know what to expect before receiving the medication.
Who Is a Good Candidate for IV Sedation?
You might be a suitable candidate for IV sedation if:
- You struggle with moderate to severe dental anxiety.
- You need to undergo multiple or complex dental treatments.
- You went through traumatic dental care experiences in the past (or other traumatic experiences that make you uncomfortable when objects are placed in/near your mouth).
- You have a very strong gag reflex.
- You are not easily numbed by local anesthetic.
You should also be free of any medical conditions that might make sedation inadvisable for you. For example, you should not be pregnant. Certain allergies and respiratory illnesses may also affect your candidacy. Our team will thoroughly screen you before approving you for sedation.
The Benefits of IV Sedation
IV sedation offers some noteworthy benefits:
- It can allow even the most nervous and/or traumatized patients to receive necessary dental care.
- Because you are unlikely to remember your procedure, you can expect to have an easy experience that feels fast.
- Your level of sedation can be adjusted throughout your appointment.
- It tends to be quite safe when it is administered by a qualified team.
- It can be a great option for patients who have experienced inadequate results with less powerful forms of sedation.
- Our team can use IV sedation to help patients of virtually all ages — children included!
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Is sedation dentistry safe?
An estimated 15% to 36% of people experience anxiety around dental appointments, but if you’re overly afraid, you might avoid making appointments that protect, preserve, or repair your smile. Although our team is happy to provide sedation to help you feel calm and relaxed, many patients worry about whether the medications are safe or have adverse effects.
At Meadowvale Family Dentistry, we proudly offer IV sedation to ensure that you don’t experience any discomfort. Fortunately, this medication is considered safe for most people. However, before administering the drug, we’ll update your medical history and examine your mouth to ensure no pre-existing issues interfere. For example, if you have sleep apnea, you might not be a good candidate because your airways might become restricted when you’re relaxed.
Our team will monitor your condition and health stats throughout your appointment to ensure that everything stays within a healthy range.
Will I remember anything with dental sedation?
Many people have phobias that can be triggered by dental visits, and some don’t like the idea of being rendered unconscious with strangers or feeling like they’re not in full control of their body. If you’re worried that drugs will ‘put you to sleep’, you can set your mind at ease!
IV sedation induces a relaxed, calm sensation that can leave you feeling drowsy, but you’ll still be awake enough to respond to the dentist’s questions or directions. That said, you’re not likely to remember the details of your procedure, which is often considered an additional benefit for overly anxious patients.
How long does dental sedation last?
There are potentially a few types of dental sedation, though our team uses medications that are administered intravenously. The effects of the drug typically wear off relatively quickly, but you’ll likely feel groggy for several hours following your appointment.
While you might be able to return to your usually scheduled activities if you’re feeling up to it, we recommend that you plan to have a trusted friend or family member drive you home. Then, it might be a good idea to plan to rest the remainder of your day to be safe. By the next morning, you’ll be back to normal!
How much does sedation dentistry cost?
Most dental insurance policies consider these medications to be a “luxury” and so they don’t always cover the cost. However, our team doesn’t want your anxiety or other issues to interfere with receiving the care you need to keep grin happy and healthy.
If you’re worried that you can’t afford your dental sedation, don’t worry! Give us a call or let us know in person and we’d be happy to go over options for payment plans to help reduce the upfront cost of our services. You might also qualify for the Canadian Dental Care Plan, which does include some forms of sedation, but you’ll need to be approved and might require preauthorization, depending on the type of medications used. If you’re unsure whether you can join this program, let us know, and our friendly office staff would be happy to assist you.