If you have been putting off the dentist because the thought of the chair makes your heart race, you are far from alone. Dental anxiety is one of the most common reasons adults skip care, and skipping care is how small problems become big, expensive ones. Sedation dentistry exists for exactly this reason.
At Oakwood Dental in Castle Rock, we offer sedation options for nervous adults so you can get the care you need calmly, and often in fewer visits.
Signs Sedation Could Help You
- You have canceled or avoided appointments because of anxiety.
- The sounds, smells or numbing injections make you tense up.
- You gag easily during cleanings or X-rays.
- You need a lot of work done and would rather do it in fewer, longer visits.
- You have had a painful or stressful dental experience in the past.
Sedation Options at Oakwood Dental
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Breathed through a small mask over your nose, nitrous oxide takes the edge off within minutes. You stay awake and able to talk, and the effects wear off quickly after the mask comes off. It works well for mild to moderate anxiety.
Oral Conscious Sedation
For more significant anxiety or longer treatment, a prescribed medication taken before your appointment produces deep relaxation. You remain conscious and can respond, but many patients remember little of the visit. You will need someone to drive you to and from the appointment.
Learn more about sedation dentistry at Oakwood Dental.
What a Sedation Visit Looks Like
- Talk first. We start with a conversation about what makes you anxious and review your health history and medications.
- Pick the right level. Together we choose the option that fits your anxiety and the treatment you need.
- Treatment at your pace. We explain what we are doing, check in often, and you can always signal a pause.
- Recovery. With nitrous, most people return to their day. With oral sedation, plan to rest at home for the remainder of the day.
No Lectures, No Judgment
If it has been years since your last visit, you will not get a lecture. Our job is to get you healthy and comfortable, starting wherever you are today. Many patients find that after one calm visit, the next one is much easier.
Is Sedation Safe?
For healthy adults, nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation are widely used and well-established. We review your medical history and current medications before recommending any sedation, and we monitor you during treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be asleep during sedation dentistry?
No. Nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation keep you awake and able to respond, but deeply relaxed. Many patients remember little of the appointment with oral sedation.
Do I need a driver for sedation dentistry?
With nitrous oxide, most patients can drive themselves. With oral conscious sedation, you will need someone to drive you to and from your appointment.
Can I get a cleaning with sedation?
Yes. Nitrous oxide is commonly used for cleanings and routine care for patients with dental anxiety.
Book Your Visit at Oakwood Dental
Oakwood Dental is at 3 Oakwood Park Plaza, Suite 101 in Castle Rock, serving Castle Pines, Parker, Larkspur, Franktown and the rest of Douglas County. Call 303-688-3860 or request an appointment online. Hours: Monday–Wednesday 8–5, Thursday–Friday 7–2.
Patients visit Oakwood Dental from across Douglas County, including families looking for a dentist in Castle Pines.