Amazingly comfortable
Sedation Dentistry

If you’re afraid of the dentist? Don’t feel bad. It’s actually much more common than you might imagine, and you don’t have to miss out on routine checkups, dental cleanings, and essential procedures because of:

• Dental anxiety or phobia
• A sensitive gag reflex
• Traumatic past experiences
• Highly sensitive teeth
• Being embarrassed about your teeth
• Sensory processing disorder
• Difficulty keeping your mouth open for an extended period
• Fear of needles or injections

Sedation dentistry or conscious sedation is a sophisticated option that can be performed in various ways.

Oral Anxiolytics – We will prescribe a pill for you to take an hour or two before your appointment. It will relax you, resulting in no pain or anxiety. Best of all – no injections!

Oral Conscious Sedation – We will give you a medication 30-60 minutes before your procedure.

Intravenous Conscious Sedation – Our specialist anesthetist will administer IV sedation in our rooms, and will monitor your oxygen saturation, heart rate, and breathing while you are under sedation. This is a deep form of sedation, but you should be able to talk. However, you may not be able to remember much about the procedure.

Nitrous Oxide – Laughing gas, administered through the nose throughout the procedure, will relieve anxiety, reduce pain, and elevate your mood and bring about a general sense of well-being. This is a good choice if you have to resume your normal activities immediately after the procedure.

Sedation dentistry does not typically induce sleep. Instead, most sedatives will allow you to stay awake for the procedure. However, some oral anxiolytics or oral conscious sedation, or IV sedation will calm you down and you may fall asleep.

Particularly anxious patients with sensory processing disorder can benefit from sedatives that are so effective that you can’t even remember details of the procedure afterward. It may be the best option for you and your dentist alike.

If you wish to make use of sedation dentistry – especially oral and IV sedation -, we advise that you bring along a caregiver or driver. This is particularly important when you have to drive home. IV sedation could leave you feeling sleepy and groggy and you should not drive or be left alone until the effects have worn off.

You’re welcome to rest in our comfortable waiting room while you wait for your ride.