Comfortable, Anxiety-Free Visits
If past dental experiences have been difficult, or you have a long appointment coming up, sedation can make the entire visit easier to get through.
Our sedation options
- Nitrous oxide ("laughing gas"). Inhaled, mild, takes effect within minutes and wears off in minutes. You can drive yourself home.
- Oral conscious sedation. A prescription pill taken before your appointment. You'll feel deeply relaxed and a little drowsy. Needs a ride home.
- IV sedation. Medication delivered through an IV by a trained provider. Deeper relaxation, typically used for longer or more complex visits like full-arch implant surgery. Needs a ride home.
When sedation makes sense
- Significant dental anxiety or a difficult dental history
- Long appointments combining several procedures
- Full-arch implant cases (All-on-4 / All-on-X)
- Complex extractions or grafting
- A strong gag reflex
Safety
Every sedation patient is monitored throughout the visit. We review your medical history, current medications, and any concerns before we begin. If sedation isn't appropriate for you medically, we'll tell you and suggest alternatives.
Sedation Dentistry FAQ
It depends on the procedure, your anxiety level, and your medical history. We'll discuss the options at your consultation and pick the most appropriate one together.
Not with nitrous or oral sedation — you'll be awake and responsive but relaxed. IV sedation puts you in a deeper, twilight-like state; you're not unconscious but most patients remember little of the procedure.
Yes after nitrous oxide. No after oral or IV sedation — you'll need a responsible adult to drive you home and stay with you for several hours.