Dental fear and anxiety may have kept you from seeking the treatment you desperately needed and wanted for years. This delay in treatment may have made your situation worse. Dental Implant procedures are typically well tolerated by most patients, many stating that the procedure was significantly less involved than they expected.
To alleviate anxiety and discomfort during your procedure, we offer various sedation options to ensure a comfortable experience. Sedation dentistry is ideal for anyone who’s extremely anxious about a dental treatment, and patients undergoing long or complex procedures. Patients who undergo sedation dentistry typically don’t feel the procedure, are completely relaxed, and often don’t remember it afterwards. Our clinic is certified to perform all levels of sedation.
Oral minimal sedation
For patients with moderate levels of anxiety or those requiring a more relaxed state, oral sedation may be recommended. This involves taking a prescribed medication, a benzodiazepine, before the procedure. Triazolam (Halcion) is the sedative used, similar to Ativan or Valium. The sedative helps the patient achieve a deeper state of relaxation and calmness, making the dental implant surgery more manageable. The patient may remain conscious during the procedure but will likely have little recollection of the event afterward.
No additional cost
IV moderate sedation
Intravenous (IV) sedation is another option for dental implant surgery and is generally reserved for patients with severe dental phobia or more complex procedures. With IV sedation, a sedative medication is administered directly into the bloodstream through an intravenous line. This results in a rapid and deeper sedation, allowing the patient to be in a semi-conscious or twilight state. The dental team can adjust the level of sedation as needed throughout the procedure to ensure the patient's comfort and safety. A certified RN nurse is part of the sedation team to monitor the patient during the procedure and the subsequent recovery.
Additional cost: $500 per case
Deep sedation or general anesthesia
In rare cases where patients have extensive anxiety, medical conditions, or require extensive dental work, general anesthesia may be considered. Under general anesthesia, the patient is completely unconscious and unaware during the procedure. This level of sedation is administered and monitored by a medical anesthesiologist to ensure the patient's safety. While general anesthesia provides a painless and stress-free experience, it involves higher risks and is only used when necessary.
Additional cost: Dependant on duration of procedure
Ultimately, the choice of sedation for dental implant surgery depends on the patient's individual needs, medical history, and anxiety levels. The dental team will thoroughly evaluate the patient's health and preferences to determine the most appropriate sedation option, ensuring a successful and comfortable dental implant procedure.