Sedadent Anesthesia

At Sedadent, we take pride in meeting you. Our anesthesiologists are available to talk personally with each patient prior to the procedure. You can take comfort in knowing that the anesthesia is not delegated to another professional. Your anesthesiologist stays with you or your child for the entire dental procedure. The anesthesiologist you meet the day of the procedure will be the anesthesiologist who completes your care. We are also readily available after the procedure, should you have a question or concern.

Why Anesthesia?

The dental office is often associated with pain. While much has been done to improve the dental experience, many patients have deep rooted fears and anxiety when visiting the dentist. Whatever those fears may be, anesthesia provides an avenue for needed treatment. Children and adults with special needs, dental phobics, limiting medical conditions, an inability to get numb, pre-cooperative children, and hyperactive gag reflexes are a few examples of patients who benefit from anesthesia.

Dentists use drills, needles, and foreign tasting substances to treat our teeth that can make going to the dentist an unpleasant experience. Dental anesthesia makes a potentially uncomfortable situation totally relaxing for the patient. The patient gets to sleep through the procedure while the dentist completes the work.

We are frequently asked if we would allow our own children to be under general anesthesia. Absolutely! In fact, two of Dr. Heaton’s children required general anesthesia to complete the dental work they needed. Anesthesia allows the dentist to focus on treating their patient without increased salivation and active tongues. Usually the materials need to be bonded in the mouth without moisture and it is difficult to do if a patient has an active tongue or needs to close or open their mouth during the procedure.

Why Sedadent Anesthesia?

Our anesthesiologists are dentist anesthesiologists. We have received extensive training in all types of dental surgeries. A large part of our training includes valuable mobile in-office anesthesia training. This training is invaluable in bringing hospital-grade anesthesia into the office. We understand dental offices and equipment. We understand your surgery because we have performed many of them. We can anticipate your needs and tailor the anesthesia to meet the needs of your procedure.

We are board certified by the American Dental Board of Anesthesia, or working to become so, and we are graduates from accredited dental anesthesia residency programs. These residency programs require competency in all types of dental surgeries. They require extensive training in nasal (through the nose) intubation. No other medical or dental programs that we are aware of provide the level of experience in mobile dental surgery that dental anesthesia residencies provide.

Flat Fees (for pediatric patients only)

With flat fees there are no surprises. You know the cost of anesthesia before your procedures. Traditional anesthesia is billed by the minute. With flat fees, your surgeon will not be rushed by time constraints. You will receive better treatment, better results, and save money.

Professionalism 

You get personalized attention. The performing anesthesiologist will call the evening before your procedure to discuss any questions or concerns you may have. The anesthesiologist is also readily available following your procedure should you need assistance. From our front office to our assistants, we take pride in serving you.

Improved Methods 

We use the latest in compact mobile anesthesia equipment and monitors. From HD video laryngoscopes to flexible breathing tubes, we are constantly striving to provide an improved dental visit. Our expertly designed mobile trucks effortlessly deliver monitors, machines, crash carts, and emergency equipment and supplies efficiently to the office.

Pre-Anesthesia Instructions

Drinking and Eating

Do NOT have ANYTHING TO EAT OR DRINK for eight (8) hours before your scheduled dental procedure. During anesthesia the muscles above the stomach can relax, releasing stomach contents into the lungs. This can lead to serious complications including death. You may have CLEAR liquids only, up to two (2) hours before your procedure. Examples of clear liquids include water, apple juice, or Gatorade. Patients consuming food, milk, orange juice, or other non-clear liquids within eight (8) hours will be rescheduled.

Clothing

Loose clothing with short sleeves is desirable, as are two-piece outfits, to allow easy monitor placement. Contact lenses must be removed before the appointment. Do not wear fingernail polish the day of appointment.

Change in Health

Please inform our dental anesthesiologists of any change in your health prior to your appointment. The development of a cold or fever can increase the risks of anesthesia. Sick patients will be rescheduled for safety reasons.

Medication

Please follow your regular schedule of medications unless otherwise directed by our dental anesthesiologist. Medications may be taken with only a small sip of water.

Accompanied by an Adult

A responsible adult must accompany all anesthesia patients to and from the appointment.   A responsible adult must drive the patient home. (Buses or cabs are unacceptable).

Questions or Concerns

Our doctors and staff are happy to answer any questions you might have about your upcoming appointment.  Please contact our office if you have any questions: 512-909-3171.

Pay By CareCredit

We accept CareCredit. Please click on the link below to pay.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Please look below and see what most patients have asked us, but if there are questions you have not included below, please contact us.

Why office-based anesthesia?

Our dental anesthesiologists work hard to make sure that each one of their patients is comfortable. A patient will oftentimes require complex procedures that would otherwise require multiple visits. By using anesthesia, the patient can get all of his or her dental work done in one visit which is much more convenient to fit in busy schedules. Office-based anesthesia is less expensive than anesthesia administered at a hospital.

Dentists love Sedadent because they can take care of their patients in the comfort of their dental office rather than traveling to the hospital for a procedure. Office-based anesthesia is more cost effective than procedures done at hospitals. Though not every case can be handled in a dentist’s office, the exceptions are rare.

Is office-based anesthesia safe?

Office-based anesthesia is a growing trend in the United States. Advances in anesthetic drugs and anesthesia equipment enable a trained dentist anesthesiologist to transform almost any dental office into an operating room, complete with hospital grade monitors, anesthesia machines, and emergency equipment. The anesthesia procedures mirror those received in the children’s hospitals, including airway protection. Our belief is that most dental surgeries require airway protection to include intubation. Intubation for oral surgical procedures insures against foreign substances (i.e. water, tooth particles, and dental materials) from entering the lungs and yet insures oxygen delivery. Sedadent brings close to $100,000 of equipment and supplies to the office each day. You can take comfort in knowing you or your child will be continuously monitored by our anesthesiologists. This monitoring includes: pulse oximetry, blood pressure, electrocardiography, temperature, and gas analysis (carbon dioxide, oxygen, and anesthetic gas levels). Sedadent meets and exceeds all state requirements concerning in-office anesthesia.

Are there any side effects?

Dental anesthesia is generally considered a minor surgery. As such, the side effects are generally considered mild and are of short duration. Children will frequently wake up irritable but usually return to normal activity within about 2 hours. Adults may feel sedated a little longer than children, but they usually return to normal activity the same day. If you have specific questions or concerns, feel free to contact us directly and one of our anesthesiologists will answer any specific concerns directly.

What is intubation? Why is it necessary?

Intubation is a very common and routine procedure in which a breathing tube is placed to ensure a safe airway. This tube protects against foreign substances (i.e. water, tooth particles, and dental materials) from entering the throat and lungs. It also ensures anesthetic gas delivery and oxygen delivery. Dental surgery is unique in that it involves both the surgeon and the anesthesiologist sharing the oral cavity. Intubation allows the anesthesiologist to continue to monitor the patients breathing while granting free access to the dental surgeon to accomplish his or her work. With a patient asleep and the airway controlled, your dental surgeon can work efficiently and effectively.  

Specialized monitoring equipment along with intubation allows for enhanced monitoring of the patients breathing status and oxygenation levels and alerts the anesthesiologist if there are any changes in the patients breathing.

The latest in cutting edge video equipment aids the anesthesiologist to place the breathing tubes quickly and with little discomfort for the patients. It is our belief that intubation makes anesthesia safer and allows the dental surgeon free access to perform dental surgery with minimal airway interruptions or limitations.

Do you accept Medicaid?

Yes, we are credentialed Medicaid providers and will bill Medicaid directly on behalf of the patients we treat.

Do you accept insurance?

Many insurance companies work hard to deny out of facility anesthesia. For this reason, we DO NOT accept any insurance. However, it is our belief that if you are persistent, you can obtain reimbursement for anesthesia services. We will work with you and provide the forms necessary to submit for reimbursement.

For best results contact your insurance provider before treatment is completed. In most instances, we believe you will find that after deductibles, Copays, and miscellaneous charges, you will pay less out of pocket with in office anesthesia. No surprises months after your treatment.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards, Care Credit, and Cash. We do not accept personal checks at this time.

What types of medication do you use?

The majority of your anesthetic will consist of inhalational agents (gases). The major benefit of an inhalation agent is that only a very small percentage is actually metabolized by the body. This generally leads to shorter recovery times and less drug directly into the blood stream. The common medications used in our dental surgeries include: Sevofluorane, Isofluorane, Propofol, Midazolam, Ketorolac, and Dexamethazone.

Does the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) endorse office anesthesia?

Yes. From the 2012 Guidelines of Anesthesia Personnel in the Administration of Office-based deep sedation/general anesthesia to the Pediatric Dental Patient, the AAPD had this to say.

“Deep sedation/general anesthesia in the dental office can provide benefits for the patient and the dental team. Access to care may be improved. The treatment may be scheduled more easily and efficiently. Facility charges and administrative procedures may be less than those associated with a surgical center. Complex or lengthy treatment can be provided comfortably while minimizing patient memory of the dental procedure. Movement by the patient is decreased, and the quality of care may be improved. The dentist can use his/her customary in-office delivery system with access to trained auxiliary personnel, supplemental equipment, instrumentation, or supplies should the need arise. The use of anesthesia personnel to administer sedation/general anesthesia in the pediatric dental population is an accepted treatment modality.”

Is office-based or ambulatory anesthesia endorsed by the American Dental Association (ADA)?

The ADA made this statement is 2005: “Ambulatory anesthesia is an integral part of the management of anxiety and pain control for dental patients. It is in the best interest of the public and the profession that access to this cost-effective service be widely available.”