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Choose the Relief That's Right For You
If getting dental work done feels like more than you can handle, Dr. Graham-Wyatt and our team offer safe and gentle sedation options to help you get the care you need, on your own terms.
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If you have mild anxiety or are new to sedation, this is a good place to start. Nitrous oxide is an inhaled sedative that begins working within a few breaths.
You feel your shoulders drop, your jaw soften, and the dread of being in the chair start to lift, all while remaining awake and aware.
The effects clear within minutes of your procedure ending, and you should be able to drive yourself home.
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If you have moderate anxiety or need a longer treatment where consistent relaxation matters, oral sedation can take you into a deeper, steadier state of calm.
Taken by mouth before your appointment, it works on the kind of nerves breathing exercises can't quite reach. By the time you settle in, your dental treatment will feel distant, like something happening at the edge of your awareness.
You'll stay responsive but drowsy enough that you might drift off, and you'll need help driving to and from your visit.
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This is the deepest in-office relaxation we offer. If you experience significant dental fear, or need a complex procedure that's easier to face in a single visit, then IV sedation can finally make the treatment you've been avoiding feel possible.
It brings you into a state of relaxation so deep that you likely won't remember the appointment afterward, but different from general anesthesia: you stay breathing on your own, and our team is with you throughout, watching over you the entire time.
Plan for a driver and a quiet day at home to fully recover.
If injections are the part you fear most, this option may help you feel more comfortable getting the care you need.
For many treatments, we can skip the injection entirely: a gentle laser handles the numbing in its place. That means no waiting for the shot, no thick-lipped numb feeling for hours afterward, and no bracing for the moment that always makes you tense up.
Where it's an option for your treatment, no-shot dentistry can be used alongside sedation or on its own.
Find Out More About No-Shot Dentistry
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1. Your Consultation
Before any sedation, you'll meet with Dr. Graham-Wyatt to talk through your medical history, current medications, and the level of comfort you're looking for during treatment. Together, you'll decide which sedation option best suits your visit, or whether no-shot dentistry fits your needs.
2. Getting Ready for Your Appointment
Depending on the level of relaxation you’ve chosen, you may be asked to avoid food and drink for several hours before your visit. Our team will be sure to provide clear instructions ahead of time, including what to wear and whether you'll need a driver.
3. During Your Appointment
You'll be monitored throughout your treatment. Depending on the type of sedation, you may stay alert and aware, drift into a deeper state of calm, or land somewhere in between. We adjust as needed to keep you comfortable.
4. After Your Appointment
If you choose nitrous oxide, you'll feel like yourself almost immediately and can drive home. If oral or IV sedation was the right fit, plan for a quiet day at home and a driver to take you to and from.
If anxiety or dental phobia has kept you from getting the care you need, the right sedation option can change that. Dr. Graham-Wyatt and the team will help you find an approach that fits your concerns and your treatment needs.
Schedule your consultation today, or learn more about what to expect at your first visit.
Your Sedation Questions, Answered
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Yes, sedation dentistry is safe when it’s delivered by a trained provider, and when you've been properly screened beforehand. Dr. Graham-Wyatt will review your full medical history and current medications before offering sedation options, and you’ll be monitored continuously throughout your treatment. The depth of sedation is adjusted in real time, so the experience stays predictable from start to finish.
How is sedation dentistry different from general anesthesia?
Sedation dentistry keeps you breathing on your own and able to respond, even at its deepest in-office level (IV sedation). General anesthesia is deeper still: you're fully unconscious, your breathing is supported by a machine, and it's typically delivered in a surgical setting rather than a dental office. The two are different categories of care, used for different situations.
Will I remember the procedure?
That depends on the level of sedation you choose. With nitrous oxide, you'll stay alert and remember your visit. With oral sedation, your memory may be patchy. With IV sedation, you're unlikely to remember much, if anything, of the appointment itself.
Can I eat or drink before my appointment?
Whether you can eat or drink before sedation depends on the method you've chosen. For nitrous oxide, a light meal beforehand is fine. For oral or IV sedation, you'll typically be asked to avoid food and drink for several hours before your visit, and we'll share specific instructions in advance.
How much does sedation cost, and is it covered by insurance?
The cost of sedation depends on the level you choose and the length of your appointment, but you’ll get a clear estimate at your consultation. Insurance coverage for sedation varies by plan and procedure. Our team can walk you through your specific benefits, as well as the financial options we accept.
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