Kansas Center for Sedation Dentistry

We offer three different types of sedation dentistry in your area that can help a wide range of patients feel comfortable and at-ease when they visit us for any of their appointments. The most common method is nitrous oxide sedation , which is administered in-office using a small nose mask. Once placed on the face, you’ll be able to breathe-in a tasteless, odorless gas that will immediately help you feel calmer and less fidgety in the treatment chair.

Sedation dentistry is generally safe when administered by a professional; however, it’s not always safe for every patient. Dr. Heck and Dr. Beshore will sit down and get to know you a little better to learn about any barriers that keep you from having a comfortable experience at the dentist’s office. They’ll also ask you about your medical history to determine if sedation dentistry will be a safe option for you.

Every dental insurance plan differs from patient-to-patient, so coverage depends on your specific benefits, which you can find out by contacting your insurance provider directly. Our team would be more than happy to assist you in navigating this process as well if you’d like. We’re in-network with Delta Dental Premier and BlueCross BlueShield, which means that we’ve negotiated discounted rates and fees for excellent savings through these companies. However, we’re also happy to file claims for out-of-network patients as well!

Every dental sedation method differs, and typically, the more severe your phobia is or the longer your treatment is, the stronger the sedation will need to be. For example, we often use nitrous oxide sedation for patients with more mild fear or a sensitive gag reflex. The effects of this method wear off quickly, within only a few minutes after removing the nose mask. This allows patients to drive themselves home right after their appointments.

No, you will not experience pain when undergoing dental sedation. In addition to the sedative, local anesthetics and strong pain relievers are also used during the process. This means the treatment area will be very numb, making it easy for you to stay comfortable while we clean or restore your smile. Many patients find that they remain comfortable after the procedure because they are still under the effect of the local anesthetic. Depending on the procedure, you may notice some discomfort after the sedative and the medication have fully worn off, but we can give you tips for managing it during your recovery.

Nitrous oxide sedation, oral conscious sedation, and IV sedation all let you stay awake during your treatment; you’ll simply be in an advanced state of relaxation. Some people actually do doze off while under the effects of dental sedation, but it is only a very light sleep. They can still be woken up very easily so that they can continue to follow the dentist’s instructions.

There are three levels of sedation used in dental procedures: minimal sedation, moderate sedation, and deep sedation. Minimal sedation (or nitrous oxide) makes you feel more relaxed without affecting your ability to respond normally to stimuli. Moderate sedation (or oral conscious sedation) often puts patients in a groggy or dreamlike state. You can still follow our instructions, but you may not remember the procedure afterwards. Deep sedation (or IV sedation) is close to unconsciousness, but you can still be awakened relatively easily if you do end up falling asleep.

Yes, if you receive conscious sedation, you will still be able to speak throughout your procedure. This means you can let us know if you’re experiencing any discomfort or if something has gone wrong during the procedure.

IV sedation is considered extremely safe when performed by trained professionals such as Dr. Heck and Dr. Beshore. Certain conditions such as pregnancy, allergy to benzodiazepines, central nervous system depression and certain forms of glaucoma may affect your candidacy for IV sedation. During your initial appointment, we’ll go over your entire medical history so that we can confirm that IV sedation is viable in your case. Your safety always comes first, which is why we always err on the side of caution when it comes to keeping potential side effects and complications to an absolute minimum.