Sedation is for the fear, not just the pain
Local anaesthetic stops you feeling the treatment. Sedation deals with the part local cannot touch, which is the dread of being in the chair at all.
It is not only for major surgery. Plenty of people use it for a cleaning, because a cleaning is the appointment they cannot face.
Tell us when you book. That single sentence changes how the whole appointment is planned, and it is the most useful thing an anxious patient can do.
Sedation is worth asking about if
- You have avoided the dentist for years
- You have a strong gag reflex
- Local anaesthetic has not worked well for you before
- You need a lot of work done in one visit
- Sitting still for long appointments is difficult
- A previous dental experience went badly
How it works here
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You tell us when you book
Say you are anxious. It is on the notes before you arrive and nobody has to be told twice.
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A conversation before anything else
What you are worried about, what your medical history is, and which option suits. No treatment gets planned in that appointment if you do not want it to.
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Planning around it
Longer appointment slots, more work done per visit, fewer trips back.
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Someone drives you home
Depending on the option used you will not be able to drive yourself. You are told this well in advance, not on the day.
Who you will see
Dr. Shayan Azimi looks after sedation dentistry at our Bishop Arts practice. You see the same dentist at every visit, so nobody starts your treatment over.
What it costs, and how people pay
Price depends on what you actually need, so we look first and tell you the number before anything starts. What we can tell you now is how it gets paid for.
- Insured. In network with most major PPO plans, and your benefits get checked before treatment is planned.
- Medicaid or CHIP. Both accepted, which a lot of Dallas practices will not do.
- No insurance. Our membership plan covers cleanings, exams and routine x-rays from $30 a month, with 20% off other treatment.
- Larger treatment. Cherry, Sunbit and HFD payment plans spread the cost.
Sedation Dentistry questions
- Will I be unconscious?
- That depends entirely on which option is appropriate for you, and it is decided in conversation with the dentist based on your medical history and the work needed. Ask at the consultation and you will get a straight answer for your situation rather than a general one.
- Is sedation safe?
- Sedation is routine in dentistry and is done to established protocols, but it is not risk free and it is not right for everyone. Your medical history and medication are reviewed before anything is agreed.
- Can I drive myself home?
- Not with most sedation options. You will be told exactly what applies to you before the appointment so you can arrange a lift rather than finding out on the day.
- Is sedation covered by insurance?
- Some plans cover it in certain circumstances and many do not cover it for anxiety alone. We check your benefits before treatment is planned so you know the number in advance.