Sedation Dentistry for Durham NC

Kiss that Dental Phobia Goodbye

Dental phobia is the second most common fear among people, and up to 50% of the population avoids dental procedures because of it. We understand these fears and take them seriously.

Sedation dentistry (using a combination of tranquillizers, depressants and anti-anxiety medications to relax during treatment) is the perfect solution. It can produce a relaxed, comfortable state in even the most uptight patient, and there are no needles required.

Dr. Gary Schlotterer is certified to administer sedation in North Carolina and specially trained in sedation dentistry by the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS). Sedation can help overcome a severe gag reflex, and it allows Dr. Schlotterer to perform complex procedures such as smile makeovers or combine multiple procedures at the same appointment.

To patients, hours feel like minutes, they have no pain, and they rarely remember any of it.

And really, who wouldn’t prefer that?

Sedation Dentistry FAQ’s

Below are the answers to our most frequently asked questions regarding sedation dentistry.

If you are afraid of visiting the dentist, suffer from a serious gag reflex, or require many major dental procedures, you are probably a good candidate for sedation dentistry. Call Digital Dentistry at Southpoint today to discover if sedation dentistry performed by Durham dentist Dr. Schlotterer is right for you.

Dr. Gary Schlotterer, our dentist in Durham, has received education and special training in sedation dentistry from the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (DOCS). He is certified by the North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners to safely administer sedation dentistry to his patients. Dr. Schlotterer also has many years of experience dealing with patients who have dental anxiety.

Sedation dentistry can help you achieve a relaxed and calm state by using safe sedatives (including tranquillizers, anti-anxiety medications, depressants, and nitrous oxide). With the exception of nitrous oxide or laughing gas, which is inhaled, all of the sedatives are taken orally. This means that there are no needles needed to help you relax. A visit using sedation dentistry is so comfortable that most people won’t even remember the procedure afterwards.

No. Throughout your dental sedation, you will still maintain a level of consciousness for both safety and cooperation reasons. Remember that anesthesia and sedation are different. Even though some dental procedures require an anesthetic injection in addition to sedation, we will only apply the anesthetic after you are comfortably sedated. Most people will not remember their injection.

A responsible adult must drive you to and from your sedation appointment at our office in Durham. This person should also stay with you for several hours at home as you recover following the treatment. Before your appointment, you may need to refrain from eating and drinking for up to eight hours.

Procedures that are long and/or complex as well as difficult dental treatments, including root canals and smile makeovers, can be comfortable and perfect candidates for sedation dentistry.

Unfortunately, most dental insurance policies do not cover sedation dentistry. You can use flex spending money at Digital Dentistry at Southpoint in Durham to cover the cost of sedation dentistry. You can also apply for CareCredit or the Citi Health card to help offset the cost of your treatment, which can include sedation dentistry.
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