Sedation Dentistry
We use advanced sedation dentistry for a wide variety of our services. Our goal is to ensure you are comfortable, calm, and relaxed throughout any dental treatment or procedure. Our team will work closely with you to assess what fears you may have and determine a treatment option that feels comfortable for you.
Dental Sedation in Boca Raton
Dental sedation refers to medicine that reduces physical pain or anxiety experienced during treatment. It can also help you feel more relaxed while dental work is being completed. Dental sedation not only makes your experience more pleasant but also ensures our staff can perform their duties most effectively. We offer dental sedation in the form of IV sedation, oral sedation and laughing gas.
While local anesthesia is used for nearly all dental treatments besides basic cleanings, general sedatives are used alongside local anesthetics for many restorative procedures, such as dental implant placement.
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How Much Does Dental Sedation cost?
We’re proud to provide high-quality affordable dental care so our patients can always receive the treatment they need. Our office is always happy to provide you with estimates on the cost of a procedure. The cost of dental sedation services, in addition to the costs of the primary procedure, is approximately:
- Between $1,250 and $2,750
We know many patients are concerned about cost, payment plan options, and insurance coverage when considering dental sedation procedures. Our staff is happy to work through these concerns with you so you can get the care you need.
See Financial InformationWhat Types of Sedation Are There?
Laughing Gas
Nitrous oxide or laughing gas is commonly used for dental-related anxiety. All a patient has to do is inhale this colorless, odorless gas through a small nasal mask. The mask remains on for the entire appointment, and once it’s removed, a patient should feel completely normal within a few minutes.
Oral Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is medication, taken in pill form, that you will consume about an hour before your procedure begins. It is a popular method, despite the added time it takes to take effect, among patients who have a phobia of needles yet who need a stronger form of sedation than nitrous oxide. Oral sedation makes you quite groggy, and you may even fall asleep. But you’ll still be able to communicate with your dentist and can be easily woken if necessary. Oral sedation also temporarily affects your memory and motor skills.
IV Sedation
IV sedation is often recommended for more prolonged or more intensive oral surgeries and dental procedures. It is also popular among patients who have more severe anxiety. IV sedation typically results in patients having little or no memory of their procedure.
With both oral conscious sedation and IV sedation, you will not be able to drive and will need to plan a ride home after your procedure. This isn’t the case for nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. Additionally, do not plan on making any important decisions on the day of the procedure if you’ve received IV or oral sedation.
Your Sedation Expert in Boca Raton, FL
Dr. Scott Harris
Dr. Harris is a graduate of The University of Florida College of Dentistry where he graduated with high honors and received the Dr. Martin S. Lebowitz Award. He has been recognized by the American Academy of Oral Medicine with a Certificate of Merit of Achievement, Proficiency, and Promise.
Dr. Scott Harris has taken extensive continuing education courses focused on the science and administration of dental sedation and is licensed by the Florida state board to administer IV sedation.
Dr. Harris is a Floridian through and through. If he’s not in his office, you’ll find him near the water, on the water, or in the water with his wife Pam and his three children.
Common Questions About Dental Sedation
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Will I Be Asleep?
Most patients remain awake throughout their appointment, but some patients do become so relaxed they drift into sleep. Patients who fall asleep are easily awoken.
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Will I Feel Anything?
It's very unlikely that you’ll feel anything during appointment. You may notice some slight pressure in your mouth every now and then as we work. However, you won't notice any of the sights, sounds, and smells that could normally cause you anxiety.
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Is Dental Sedation Safe?
Sedation dentistry is completely safe when administered by a professional like Dr. Harris. The use of sedatives in dentistry is core to the safe and pain-free completion of a wide variety of dental procedures. Many procedures such as dental implant placement would be impossible, or more rarely done, if not for the comfort and high degree of safety that modern dental sedation provides.
Some forms of sedation have been used by dentists across the globe for generations. Meanwhile, best practices and research into the best means of ensuring comfort are being furthered every day.
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Will I Know What is Going on?
You will be conscious throughout your appointment, usually enough so that you can respond to basic questions. However, many patients don't remember anything about their procedure afterward and it is possible to fall asleep with stronger forms of sedation, and you may feel groggy following it.
