Sedation & General Anesthesia
For patients whose fear is real — and for treatment that is easier done asleep.
- Steps, start to finish
- 4
- Course of care
- 1 consultation + treatment
- Time per appointment
- Varies by treatment plan
Understanding sedation dentistry
Dental anxiety is not a character flaw, and it is far more common than people admit. We offer options ranging from nitrous oxide to full general anesthesia administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist. That last detail matters: a dedicated anesthesiologist monitors you throughout, while the dentist focuses entirely on your teeth.
Who this is for
- Patients who have avoided the dentist for years out of fear
- Strong gag reflex that makes routine work difficult
- Multiple procedures better completed in one session
- Special-needs patients and those who cannot tolerate long appointments
What to expect
- Number of visits
- 1 consultation + treatment
- Time per appointment
- Varies by treatment plan
General anesthesia requires fasting beforehand and a driver home.
What it does for you.
Board-certified anesthesiologist, not sedation squeezed in on the side
Continuous monitoring of heart rate, oxygen and blood pressure
Years of postponed treatment completed in a single visit
Most patients remember nothing and wake up finished
Step by step, so nothing is a surprise.
Most dental anxiety comes from not knowing what happens next. Here is the whole sequence, from the first phone call onwards.
- 01
Health review
A full medical history, current medications and past anesthetic experiences are reviewed before anything is scheduled.
- 02
Choosing the level
Nitrous oxide for mild anxiety, oral sedation for moderate, general anesthesia for severe anxiety or extensive work.
- 03
Treatment day
You arrive fasted with a driver. The anesthesiologist monitors you from start to finish while treatment is completed.
- 04
Recovery
You rest in the office until fully alert, then go home with written aftercare instructions and a follow-up call.
“I have been terrified of dentists my whole life. They never once made me feel rushed or judged.”
Sedation Dentistry questions we hear every week
Still unsure about something? Ring the front desk on (405) 632-5562 — no appointment needed to ask a question.
When administered by a board-certified anesthesiologist with full monitoring equipment, yes. This is precisely why we bring in a dedicated specialist rather than doing it ourselves between appointments.
Under general anesthesia, no. Under oral sedation most patients remember very little. Under nitrous oxide you stay awake but relaxed.
Not the same day for general anesthesia or oral sedation — you must have someone drive you home. After nitrous oxide alone you can usually drive after a short recovery period.
Sometimes, particularly where it is medically necessary or for special-needs patients. We check your specific plan and give you the number before you decide.
Nobody here is going to make you feel bad. A large share of our sedation patients have not been seen in five, ten, even twenty years. We simply start from today.
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Talk to us about sedation dentistry
Bring your questions to the first visit. The examination is on us if you do not find it valuable, so there is nothing to lose by finding out where you stand.
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