Sedation Dentistry
Sedation Dentistry in Johns Creek, GA
Imagine undergoing a complex dental treatment like a root canal, extraction, or oral surgery. When your treatment is complete, you have no recollection of the time it took, the pain, the noise, or the discomfort you were expecting. We are pleased to offer our patients the option of comfortable, safe, and effective sedation dentistry.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry refers to the use of medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It’s an excellent option for those who experience anxiety, have a low pain threshold, or need extensive dental work. Sedation dentistry can range from mild relaxation to deep sedation, depending on the method used and the patient’s needs.
At Advance Dental, we offer several types of sedation dentistry to ensure a comfortable and stress-free experience:
- Nitrous Oxide Dentistry: Also known as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide is a mild sedative that helps you relax during your dental procedure. It’s inhaled through a small mask placed over your nose and provides a sense of calm while keeping you fully conscious.
- Oral Sedation Dentistry: This involves taking a sedative pill before your appointment. The medication will make you drowsy and deeply relaxed, though you’ll still be awake and able to respond to the dentist’s instructions. Oral sedation is ideal for patients with moderate anxiety or those undergoing longer procedures.
- IV Sedation Dentistry: IV sedation delivers the sedative directly into your bloodstream, allowing for a deeper level of sedation. You may feel as though you’re in a dreamlike state, and some patients even fall asleep during the procedure. This method is best for patients with severe dental anxiety or those undergoing complex dental treatments.


Why Choose Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry is particularly beneficial for patients who:

Experience severe dental anxiety or phobia

Have a low pain threshold

Need to undergo multiple or complex dental procedures

Have difficulty sitting still for extended periods

Have a strong gag reflex
How Does Dental Sedation Work?
Everyone is different, so the type of treatment you receive will differ depending on your circumstances. To start, you’ll need to visit your dentist and discuss the extent of your dental anxiety. For routine procedures like dental cleanings, your dentist may choose to use nitrous oxide (laughing gas). However, if you need to undergo something more complex, like a LANAP procedure, you may need IV and/or oral sedation.
Is Sedation Dentistry Dangerous?
Any medical procedure has some level of risk. And people are all different. As such, different levels of medication may need to be used. Patients also experience side-effects differently. Some people with sleep apnea or obesity will need to speak with their dentist beforehand. And children under 12 can have extreme reactions to sedation and anesthesia. This is because they are smaller in size and need more care when administering and monitoring sedation.