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In general, patients ask us about sedation dentistry in Sterling Heights, MI, for three main reasons. The first is dental anxiety, which is pretty common in the United States. According to a 2025 census-based study in the National Library of Medicine, about 75% of participants reported a fear of the dentist, with 28% of participants describing their fear as “severe.” The second reason is a sensitive gag reflex. For these patients, even routine dental care can make it difficult to stay still or keep their mouth open. Finally, patients facing long procedures often ask about sedation options. Some appointments, like dental implant treatment that requires extractions, can take over an hour. Sedation makes those appointments more tolerable for patients and reduces stress or anxiety around the procedure.
St. Apollonia Dental offers several safe, effective sedation methods to help patients feel comfortable in our office. To learn more, we encourage you to book an appointment and ask about sedation.
How Does Sedation Dentistry Work in Sterling Heights, MI?
St. Appolonia doesn’t offer IV sedation. This method requires advanced training and an on-staff anesthesiologist, which we’re not equipped with at our office.
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However, we still care deeply about patient comfort. To help anxious patients or those with an overactive gag reflex, we offer oral sedation dentistry options that we do safely in-house.
We begin with a free consultation. There, we encourage you to mention sedation. We’ll review our sedation options with you and help you find the right solution. At St. Apollonia Dental, we customize your sedation dentistry to fit your needs. We will evaluate whether you’re a good candidate for sedation, create a custom sedation treatment plan, and provide a path to more comfortable care.
Before we begin, we also make sure you understand the effects of your sedation treatment and how long they will last. Some sedation options may require you to have a ride to and from your appointment, while others have more temporary effects. We’ll make sure you’re ready for your treatment and prepared with whatever you need afterward.
Our Sedation Dentistry Options
We offer several sedation dentistry options for our patients. Depending on your specific needs, these treatments help with anxiety, a gag reflex, or even long procedures. Your oral sedation treatment plan may include any of the following options:
| Zaleplon (or Sonata) | Hydroxyzine (or Atarax) | Benzodiazepines | Nitrous oxide |
|---|---|---|---|
| Some patients need a shorter, less intense sedation option. We may offer Zaleplon for these appointments to help anxious patients without disrupting their whole day. | For patients with an overactive gag reflex, we may offer hydroxyzine. This pill helps reduce anxiety and make treatment comfortable for patients who find dental care difficult because of their gag reflex. | For anxious patients, we may prescribe benzodiazepines. This class of drugs induces calm, relaxed feelings. Most often, benzodiazepines come in pill form. We may prescribe you something like Valium the night before to help you sleep, and one in the morning of the procedure, like Lorazepam. But which benzodiazepine we prescribe depends largely on your specific needs. | This sedative is inhaled through a mouth or nosepiece, making it quick-acting. Once in your system, you’ll feel a sense of calm and relaxation. Then, after your treatment, the sedative will quickly wear off, allowing you to drive home without issue. |
St. Apollonia Dental understands the need for comfortable dental care. For patients who need treatments like dental implants or a complex restorative procedure, sedation is included with your treatment free of charge. However, for smaller appointments, like cleanings or fillings, fees for sedation will apply.
Book a Free Consultation at St. Apollonia Dental To Learn More!
At our office in Sterling Heights, MI, we offer sedation options for patients who need them. Depending on your needs, we may offer a variety of options and prescribe the sedative that best suits your case. To learn if sedation dentistry is an option for you, we recommend booking a free consultation with us. There, we will determine if you’re eligible for sedation and create an entire sedation treatment plan for you.
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