Dental sedation involves using medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It’s often used to ease anxiety or make extensive treatments more comfortable.

Sedation is ideal for patients with dental anxiety, a sensitive gag reflex, difficulty sitting still, or those undergoing lengthy or complex procedures.

Yes, sedation dentistry is safe when administered by trained professionals. We carefully review your medical history and monitor you throughout the procedure.

It depends on the type of sedation. With nitrous oxide or oral sedation, you’ll remain conscious but very relaxed. IV sedation may put you in a deeper state, where you’re unaware but still responsive.

Oral sedation effects can last several hours. You’ll need someone to drive you to and from your appointment, and you should plan to rest afterward.

Yes. In fact, dentists typically prefer to administer nitrous oxide to children compared to deeper levels of sedation. This is because it has an excellent safety profile.

Using Oral Sedation, in combination with Laughing Gas (Nitrous Oxide) Can Experience the Best Type of Dental Visit...the Dental Visit the Don't Remember.

"We call oral sedation the forget-a-day pill because it helps our most anxious patients have an experience that calms them down to receive treatment they never considered possible before." - Dr. Rouse

If you are like many patients, you may be avoiding necessary dental work and cleanings year after year out of fear. With the help of oral conscious sedation, that no longer needs to be the hurdle to getting the dental treatment you need. Are you one of countless people who breaks out into a cold sweat when you think about going to the dentist? It doesn't matter if it's a basic cleaning or a major tooth extraction, you're a nervous wreck the whole time. You don't have to stay away from the dentist or live in fear of a procedure. Oral (or non-IV) sedation may be exactly what you need to help you get through your next visit.

It’s common to administer 100% oxygen to patients once they are no longer breathing in nitrous oxide. The oxygen therapy eliminates any lingering nitrous oxide in the lungs, while helping patients become more alert. The oxygen therapy also prevents headaches, which can sometimes be caused by nitrous oxide.

We strap a plastic breathing tube around your nose, and you simply need to breathe normally to inhale the nitrous oxide and oxygen combination.

The most important instruction is to try not to consume any food prior to undergoing nitrous oxide sedation because it can cause nausea or vomiting in some patients who have a weak gag reflex. You should also provide your dentist with a complete list of any medications and supplements you’re currently taking and inform them if you have problems breathing through your nose.

Food/Drink: Do not eat or drink (including water) for six (6) hours prior to your scheduled appointment. If you are having surgery, we recommend soft foods for post-surgery (mashed potatoes, pudding, jello, oatmeal, etc.).Alcohol: Do not consume any alcoholic beverages the evening before sedation. Driver: All sedation patients must be accompanied to and from the office by a responsible adult. Please plan to have them stay in the office during your visit. If they cannot stay during your appointment, please let us know so that we can make arrangements accordingly. Minors must have a responsible adult in the office at all times, no exceptions. We recommend a responsible adult stay with you for at least 12 hours following the appointment. Clothing: Wear clothes that are comfortable with short sleeves for easy placement of the blood pressure cuff and monitors. Wear comfortable shoes. Accessories: Remove dark nail polish prior to dental treatment for easy monitoring. Please do not wear heavy makeup, lipstick, jewelry, or contact lenses. Medications: Bring any specially prescribed medications (including inhalers or angina medications) with you to your appointment. Take any pre-medication one hour prior to appointment if indicated. Nausea: IV sedation may cause nausea. A medication for nausea may need to be administered after surgery at an additional cost. Working: Sedation medication can stay in your system for several hours. You can expect to be tired for the rest of the day after sedation. However, by the next day you should be able to resume normal activities or work. If you have any other questions or concerns, please contact our office!

When you come to the office and we know you're interested in oral sedation, we'll take your medical history and check your blood pressure to make sure you're a good candidate. If you can take advantage of oral sedation for your procedure, you'll be prescribed two doses of medication. You'll take one before bed the night before you come in to help you sleep. You'll take the second dose about an hour before your procedure to help you feel relaxed during it. Using oral sedation means that you can't drive a car at all or travel anywhere (even on a bus or train) by yourself. You'll need someone with you at your appointment who can help get you home. They'll also need to be able to take the information we provide for your follow-up appointment, any care you need, and what to do in the hours and days that follow. Whoever brings you should be someone you trust with this information.

We prioritize your comfort and safety, offering personalized sedation options to ensure a stress-free experience. Plus, our after-school and evening appointments make scheduling convenient for busy families.