Sedation Dentistry – Corbin, KY
Enjoy Stress-Free Dental Visits
Do you avoid going to the dentist because of fear or anxiety? Did a bad experience in the past turn you off to dental care entirely? At Corbin Family Dental Care, we’re able to calm and successfully treat nervous patients every day, largely thanks to sedation dentistry. Dr. Whitaker has dedicated herself to becoming an expert in these techniques so that more people can enjoy stress-free trips to the dentist and take care of their teeth with peace of mind. If you’re ready to experience the most relaxing dental appointment of your life, give us a call today to discuss your sedation options.
Why Choose Corbin Family Dental Care for Sedation Dentistry?
- Only dentist in a 40-mile radius trained to use IV sedation
- Can be used with most dental procedures, from fillings to much more
- Kind, Compassionate, & Professional Team
Our Sedation Dentistry Options
We offer a multitude of sedation methods that can be adjusted to suit any patient based on their needs. They include:
Nitrous Oxide Sedation
Nitrous oxide is a sedative you simply inhale, and it has been used in dental offices for nearly 100 years. It is a relatively mild pain reliever, but it’s particularly good at relieving anxiety. It is administered through a small nasal mask which resembles a cup that is placed over the nose. A patient breathes in oxygen mixed with nitrous oxide, which quickly creates a light-headed or even euphoric feeling. Fortunately, this is quick to wear off, so there is no “hangover” effect.
Learn More About Nitrous Oxide
IV Sedation
With this method, a sedative is administered directly into the bloodstream intravenously (into the vein), enabling it to act much more quickly than our other sedation options. The patient will remain conscious for their entire appointment, but time will seem to fly by very quickly and they will likely have little to no memory of their visit afterwards. Because of its potency, there is a higher level of training required for those who administer it. Right now, Dr. Whitaker is the only dentist in a 40-mile radius who is qualified to use IV sedation, helping her serve a wider variety of patients.
We typically recommend IV sedation for patients with the following concerns:
- Have an extreme fear of the dentist
- Have issues sitting for an entire appointment
- Have a sensitive gag reflex
- Have a history of difficulty achieving total numbness
- Patient wants multiple procedures completed in a single appointment to save time.
Because patient safety is always our top priority, we will ask a patient for a medical history as well as a list of all the medications they are currently taking before using IV sedation.
Which One is Right for You?
At a brief consultation with Dr. Whitaker, she can help you decide which sedation method might be best for your particular situation. It should be noted that Dr. Whitaker only sedates adults and will not sedate a child . To help nervous children, she and our team will implement more traditional behavioral modification techniques.
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Our team at Corbin Family Dental Care wants you to feel informed and confident about every aspect of your treatment. So, if you have any lingering questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. If you’re not quite ready to schedule an appointment, that’s okay too. In that case, you can read on to learn the answers to FAQs about sedation dentistry.
Am I a good candidate for sedation dentistry?
It’s certainly possible! Typically, patients who struggle with dental anxiety, who have a fear of needles, or who experience significant dental sensitivity benefit from dental sedation. However, even if you’ve just been putting off essential dental care, like your biannual checkups, you may be a candidate as well. We recommend scheduling an appointment with our team so we can learn more about your concerns, as well as your medical history, allergies, and any medications you’re taking. After all, while the large majority of patients are candidates, there are some exceptions.
Will I remember anything with dental sedation?
It’s possible you may not! In a deeply relaxed state, it can feel like time is moving quickly, making it harder to remember your time in the treatment chair. This is actually beneficial to most patients since it helps form a more positive association with going to the dentist.
Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance?
Although dental plans vary, they typically don’t include coverage for sedation dentistry. As always, however, there are exceptions. For example, dental sedation may be covered partly in treatments that are particularly complex, like wisdom tooth extractions. Additionally, if you or a loved one has a disability that makes it virtually impossible to get dental care without nitrous oxide or IV sedation, then your dental insurance provider may cover the cost.
How much does sedation dentistry cost?
That depends! Typically, nitrous oxide only costs a few hundred dollars. However, more powerful sedatives, like IV sedation, cost much more. Don’t worry – we offer financial solutions, like CareCredit, to help make the cost more affordable. With this third-party financier, you won’t have to pay for your entire treatment upfront. Instead, you can select a payment plan that fits neatly into your monthly budget, ensuring you don’t endure any added stress.
Does dental sedation make you tell secrets?
There is a common misconception that you’ll begin blurting out secrets while in an incredibly relaxed state. We can assure you that dental sedation does not act as a “truth serum.” Furthermore, even if you did say something you normally wouldn’t while under sedation, you don’t have to worry – whatever you say will be kept within the walls of our treatment room.