If you feel nervous about coming to the dentist, you’re not alone. About one-third of our patients tell us they have dental anxiety, and it’s not their fault. Usually it’s from a bad childhood experience, and sometimes just fear of the unknown.

To help with nervousness and anxiety, we offer two types of sedation:

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous Oxide (laughing gas) has a calming/relaxing effect. A small nose-piece is placed in position, and you breathe through your nose during the appointment. At the end of the appointment, we remove it and you return to your normal state simply by breathing regular air.

Oral Sedation

Some people need a little more “relaxing” than Nitrous Oxide can provide, so we offer oral sedation. It’s a little tablet of Triazolam that you take one hour prior to the appointment. It works by slowing down the nervous system temporarily, making most people feel very relaxed, almost sleepy – but you don’t go to sleep with this medication. The effects naturally wear off 6-10 hours later, so you will need to have a friend or family member drive you home after the appointment. No getting behind the wheel for the rest of the day.