Anxious about dental visits? Strong gag reflex? Multiple procedures needed? Sedation makes comfortable care possible.
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It does not replace local anesthesia for pain control, it adds a layer of relaxation, comfort, and reduced awareness for patients who would otherwise avoid dental care entirely. For many patients, sedation is the difference between getting needed treatment and not.
Dental anxiety is genuinely common, affecting an estimated 30 to 40 percent of adults to some degree. Some have specific traumatic experiences from past dental visits. Some have strong gag reflexes that make routine procedures difficult. Some simply find the sounds, smells, and sensations of dental work overwhelming. None of these are character flaws, they are real reasons that justify sedation as part of comprehensive care.
We offer multiple levels of sedation depending on patient needs and procedure complexity, from mild relaxation that allows patients to function normally to deeper sedation reserved for surgical cases. Dr. Hadis Reyhani and Dr. Kiro Farag are trained in safe sedation administration and monitoring. For surgical periodontal cases, IV conscious sedation is available in-office with Dr. Stephen Kallaos, who holds a California State permit for IV conscious sedation.
If anxiety has kept you from regular dental care, you are not alone, and you are not stuck. Many of our long-term patients started with sedation for their first few visits, then gradually built comfort and trust to the point where sedation became unnecessary. The first conversation is just about understanding what kind of help you need.
Different procedures and different anxiety levels call for different approaches. Here is what we offer.
Best for: Mild to moderate anxiety, routine procedures
A blend of nitrous oxide and oxygen breathed through a small nose mask during the procedure. Provides a calm, relaxed feeling within minutes and wears off quickly when discontinued.
Best for: Moderate anxiety, longer procedures
Prescription medication taken before the appointment that produces deeper relaxation than nitrous oxide. You remain conscious but may have limited memory of the procedure afterward.
Best for: Severe anxiety, surgical procedures
Sedation medication administered intravenously by a trained anesthesia provider. Produces deep relaxation, sometimes including limited consciousness during the procedure.
Sedation is for anyone who would benefit from a more relaxed, comfortable dental experience. The most common reasons patients request sedation:
There is no embarrassment in needing sedation. We treat patients across the full spectrum of dental anxiety with the same warmth and judgment-free approach. If sedation makes the difference between getting needed care and avoiding it, sedation is the right answer.
Discuss Sedation OptionsBefore any sedation is provided, we review your complete medical history including current medications, allergies, and health conditions. Some patients require modified sedation approaches; some require medical clearance from a primary care physician.
Vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation) are monitored throughout sedation procedures. Pulse oximetry and blood pressure are checked at intervals during the procedure to ensure your safety.
Dr. Hadis Reyhani and Dr. Kiro Farag are licensed and trained in dental sedation. For surgical periodontal cases, IV conscious sedation is available in-office with Dr. Stephen Kallaos, who holds a California State permit for IV conscious sedation. Other IV cases are coordinated with an anesthesiologist or oral surgeon as needed.
Our office is equipped with emergency medications and equipment for the rare scenarios where sedation might cause complications. Our team is trained in emergency response protocols specific to dental sedation.
Process varies based on which sedation type is used. Here is the general flow.
We discuss your anxiety level, the planned procedure, and your medical history. We recommend a sedation approach and review what to expect, including any pre-appointment instructions like fasting or medication.
Some sedation types require fasting (no food or drink) for a period before the appointment. Some require taking prescription medication 30 to 60 minutes before. Some require arranging a driver. We provide clear instructions specific to your sedation plan.
You arrive at the appointment and we help you settle in. Vital signs are taken. Sedation is administered (nitrous oxide breathed through a mask, oral medication taken with water, or IV sedation initiated by the provider).
Once sedation has taken effect, the dental procedure proceeds with your normal local anesthesia for pain control. You feel relaxed throughout and may have limited memory of the procedure afterward (especially with oral or IV sedation).
After the procedure, you recover in our office until safe to leave. With nitrous oxide, you can typically leave immediately. With oral or IV sedation, you wait for medication effects to wear off and require a driver to take you home.
Sedation is a topic many patients are hesitant to ask about. Here are the questions we hear most often.
Ask a QuestionMost dental sedation does not put you to sleep. Nitrous oxide and oral sedation produce deep relaxation while you remain conscious and able to respond to questions. Even IV sedation typically produces a "twilight" state where you are deeply relaxed but not fully unconscious. Full general anesthesia (true unconsciousness) is reserved for unusual cases requiring hospital settings, not routine dental sedation.
This varies by sedation type. With nitrous oxide, you typically remember everything but feel relaxed. With oral sedation, you may have hazy or fragmented memories of the procedure. With IV sedation, many patients have very limited or no memory of the procedure itself, which is sometimes the goal for patients with significant anxiety or trauma history.
Yes, when administered by trained providers with proper monitoring. Decades of research and clinical experience support the safety of dental sedation when used appropriately. The most important safety factors are accurate medical history review, appropriate sedation selection for each patient, continuous monitoring during the procedure, and emergency preparedness. We follow all of these protocols.
Cost varies by sedation type. Nitrous oxide is the least expensive, often a small additional fee per appointment. Oral sedation is moderate. IV sedation is more expensive because it typically involves an anesthesiologist or oral surgeon. Many dental insurance plans cover sedation when medically necessary (severe anxiety documented, surgical procedures, special needs), but coverage varies. We provide a clear cost breakdown at the consultation.
It depends on the type of sedation. After nitrous oxide alone, you can drive yourself home immediately because effects wear off in 5 to 10 minutes. After oral sedation or IV sedation, you must have someone drive you home. We will not allow you to leave the office driving yourself if you have received these forms of sedation, your safety matters more than the inconvenience.
Yes. Children with significant anxiety, special needs, or extensive treatment requirements often benefit from sedation. Pediatric sedation requires careful protocols, weight-appropriate dosing, and parental involvement. We coordinate complex pediatric sedation cases with our team based on each child's specific needs.
Certain medical conditions require modified sedation approaches or medical clearance from a physician before sedation. These include uncontrolled high blood pressure, recent heart attack or stroke, severe lung disease, sleep apnea, certain pregnancies, and significant drug interactions. We review your complete medical history before recommending any sedation approach.
Yes, in most cases. Sedation produces relaxation but does not provide pain control. Local anesthesia (numbing the procedure area) is still used to ensure you do not feel pain during the procedure. Sedation simply makes the entire experience more comfortable and less anxiety-provoking. Some patients receive sedation deeply enough that they would not feel discomfort even without local anesthesia, but local is still typically used as a precaution.
Sedation is not just about a relaxed appointment, it is about helping anxious patients become comfortable patients over time. We approach it with care.
Dental anxiety is real and common. We meet patients where they are without judgment, lectures, or pressure. The goal is comfortable care, not assumptions about why you need sedation.
Dr. Hadis Reyhani and Dr. Kiro Farag are licensed and trained in dental sedation. For surgical periodontal cases, IV conscious sedation is available in-office with Dr. Stephen Kallaos, who holds a California State permit for IV conscious sedation. Other IV cases are coordinated with anesthesiologists or oral surgeons as needed.
Discussing anxiety, medical history, and sedation plans is easier in your preferred language. We provide consultations and pre-appointment guidance in English and Spanish.
Many patients start with sedation, then gradually need less over time as trust builds. We support that progression rather than locking you into perpetual sedation.
New patients welcome. Same-week appointments available for most visits.
