For some, a visit to the dentist brings more than just discomfort; it brings fear, stress, and even panic. At Irvine Dental, we see you. We understand that dental anxiety is real, and we believe it should never hinder your health or your smile.
That’s why we offer sedation dentistry, a gentle, calming option that helps you feel safe, relaxed, and in control every step of the way. Whether you’ve been putting off care for years or just need a little extra support, we’re here to help you reclaim your comfort and confidence one visit at a time.
Whether you had a bad visit as a child or dread medical and dental appointments in general, if your fear is causing you to avoid regular cleanings or endlessly delay essential, necessary treatments, please call our office. Dr. Robertson is committed to providing anxiety-free dentistry to his patients.
Our sedation dentistry options help relax our patients and numb sensations—including discomfort. Our sedation treatments are typically used in combination with numbing medication in the area being treated to ensure that your experience is absolutely pain-free. If you’re interested in sedation dentistry for your next appointment or procedure, Dr. Robertson and his team can discuss your options with you.
Dr. Robertson is well-known in Orange County as the “Pain-Free Dentist”. He is not your typical dentist – or even your typical sedation dentist. We are proud to practice anxiety-free dentistry, and patients come to us from all over because of Dr. Robertson’s stellar reputation and gentle touch. We welcome fearful patients to our practice and have plenty of experience turning their lives around.
Exploring the Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
When you choose sedation dentistry from Irvine Dental, there are numerous benefits to you and your health. Some of the benefits you’ll experience include the following:
- Reduced Anxiety: Because you’ll feel relaxed and calm during your treatment time, you won’t have to worry about dental anxiety creeping in and causing distress.
- Improved Comfort: With either nitrous oxide or oral conscious sedation, you’ll experience less discomfort and pain during dental procedures, making it more pleasant.
- More Cooperation: Once you are comfortable and relaxed, it will be easier for you to cooperate with our dental team, making your treatment more effective.
- Better Efficiency: It’s possible for your treatment time to decrease when you use dental sedation; you’ll be more relaxed and cooperative, allowing us to work more efficiently.
- Better Outcomes: Your oral health will improve when you choose sedation; without it, you might not get the treatments you need to maintain healthy teeth and gums.
If any of these sound familiar, it’s worth getting checked. Early protection prevents long-term damage.
Types of Sedation Dentistry We Offer in Irvine
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide is a shorter-term, less intensive form of sedation dentistry. Once you arrive and are settled comfortably in the dentist’s chair, a special mask will be placed over your nose to supply you with nitrous oxide, also known as “laughing gas.” While you may not actually laugh, you will definitely feel relaxed and even mildly euphoric.
We can control the amount of nitrous oxide you receive, so please notify our office if you know that you happen to be particularly sensitive or resistant to nitrous oxide or if you have felt unpleasant side effects from nitrous in the past.
Due to nitrous oxide’s shorter period of effect, you will be able to drive yourself to and from the appointment, easily returning to your regular day.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation is usually administered for more significant dental procedures or when the idea of going to the dentist for a procedure brings on severe dental anxiety. You will be scheduled to come in prior to your treatment time for the delivery of the oral medication. Oral conscious sedation is as easy as taking an aspirin, and you will feel relaxed and at ease during your procedure.
For the entire procedure, you are awake and able to ask questions or respond to instructions from Dr. Robertson, but you will feel relaxed. Additionally, you may not recall your procedure afterward.
Oral conscious sedation is extremely safe and easy. It’s important to remember that when you receive oral conscious sedation, you will need someone else to drive you to and from our office, as you will be unable to handle a vehicle safely. However, you won’t experience any long-lasting side effects from the medication.
FAQs About Sedation Dentistry in Irvine, CA
Can everyone have sedation dentistry?
Because we offer sedation dentistry, many of the patients who come to our office have dental anxiety. Dental anxiety can range from mild apprehension to panic attacks. We do our best to accommodate all of the patients who come to us afraid. We appreciate the opportunity to turn your negative experiences around.
Whether you can have sedation dentistry depends on your medical history. Before we administer sedatives, we will collect a complete medical history to make sure you are healthy enough for sedation.
For most patients, nitrous oxide is very safe and has few side effects. The exceptions are:
- Pregnant patients
- Patients with specific lung conditions
- If you have an inner ear infection
We also offer oral sedation dentistry. Oral sedation requires a medical prescription and before we write that prescription for you, we want to make sure that none of your other medications will interact with the sedation medication. Please bring a complete list of your medicine to your consultation so that we can make sure you are completely safe during your treatment.
If you experience dental anxiety, don’t keep it a secret! When you let us know, that means that we can take the steps necessary to help you feel comfortable for your appointment.
Do you offer sedation for fearful patients?
We understand that patients can sometimes be fearful of the dentist. Whether you have had a negative experience or just have unexplained anxiety, Dr. Jeffrey Robertson is committed to your comfort and peace of mind.
Along with exceptional patient care and compassion, some patients need something to help them relax for their appointment. That is why we offer both nitrous oxide and non-IV conscious sedation. Dr. Robertson will be happy to discuss your options and help choose the best option for your situation.
Nitrous Oxide Sedation in Irvine:
- Safe, mild sedative with no restrictions
- Enters and leaves your system quickly
- No driving restrictions or need for someone to take you home
- Perfect for shorter procedures
Oral Conscious Sedation:
- Safe, stronger sedative
- Lasts longer with more intense sedative effects
- Makes you completely relaxed
- May not have much memory of the procedure
- Able to talk and answer questions, but may not be completely aware of your surroundings
- Great for people who have longer or multiple procedures planned
- Need someone to take you home and monitor your well being for the rest of the day
What is nitrous oxide?
Nitrous oxide, in dentistry, is a form of sedation used to help patients relax during treatment. Its chemical formula is N2O and it is a colorless gas with a very light, sweet odor. When inhaled, nitrous oxide produces a sedative effect and may even create feelings of euphoria, which is how it gets its nickname, laughing gas.
Using Nitrous Oxide In Dentistry:
When we use nitrous oxide in our dental office, we control the flow administered based on body size, age, and gender. We can control the amount of nitrous oxide you receive with a valve. One of the benefits of N2O in sedation dentistry is that it enters and leaves your system quickly. That means you will have very minimal residual effects once we discontinue administration.
When used under the supervision of a dentist, nitrous oxide is so safe we even use it on children. If your child is afraid, anxious, or active, nitrous oxide may help him or her to relax enough to receive their necessary treatment.
Nitrous oxide use is not just for kids, though. Many adults who experience dental anxiety find that it takes the edge off and allows them to relax during their procedures. When patients are relaxed, their overall dental experience is improved.
Will I be completely relaxed for my sedation dentistry appointment?
Oral sedation dentistry allows us to make sure that our patients are comfortable and anxiety-free for their dental appointment. Unlike IV sedation, you will still be conscious for your procedure and able to answer questions and follow simple instructions.
For most patients, oral conscious sedation allows them to completely relax and not worry about dental fear. Because anxiety can inhibit the effectiveness of certain dental anesthetics, oral sedation can also help you to get numb easier and is a helpful tool for those patients who have a hard time getting numb.
Most of our patients report being completely relaxed with little to no memory of their dental appointment. Some patients even doze off completely while we are working. While oral sedation may not be right for every patient, it certainly helps many of ours to eliminate unnecessary anxiety from their dental experience.
Oral sedation can also be useful for patients having lengthy procedures. When you are completely relaxed, it is easier for Dr. Jeffrey Robertson to complete your dental treatment in a timely manner. That means sedation can work great for cases like multiple restorations and smile makeovers.
It is always our goal to make our patients feel completely comfortable and safe. We realize that some of our patients might require a little help to relax at their dental appointment. If you have questions about oral sedation dentistry, we encourage you to call. Our helpful team looks forward to helping put your mind at ease regarding dentistry.
Will I be conscious during sedation?
When Dr. Jeffrey Robertson offers you sedation dentistry in our office, you will have a couple of options. The first option is nitrous oxide (laughing gas). Nitrous oxide can help you to relax and feel less concerned about your dental appointment. It enters and leaves your system very quickly. You will feel normal a few moments after we stop administering it.
The second option is oral conscious sedation. When you have oral conscious sedation, we give you medication in order to sedate you. Most people do not remember much of their appointment and they feel completely relaxed. Unlike with nitrous oxide, oral sedation takes a little while to work and takes time to wear off. You will feel the effects of oral conscious sedation for the rest of the day, but should feel completely normal by the next morning.
Nitrous Oxide vs Oral Sedation:
With both options, you are completely conscious. The sedation we offer allows you to respond to questions we might ask and even walk around with assistance. The side effects are much milder and the medication leaves your system much more quickly than with IV sedation.
While most patients, even kids, can have nitrous oxide safely, we will ask for an extensive medical history before offering you oral conscious sedation to make sure you are healthy enough for the medication.
Schedule Your Sedation Dentistry Appointment in Irvine Today
We offer sedation dentistry to put your mind at ease. We will work with you to ensure that our sedation options meet your needs and help you overcome your fears. We are accustomed to caring for patients who haven’t been to the dentist in years or who have fears about dentistry in general. Don’t delay the health of your smile any further. Take care of your oral health and contact Irvine Dental in Irvine, CA today at (714) 838-7272 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Robertson.
As a trusted dentist office in Irvine, CA, we’re committed to making every visit comfortable.
