Sedation Dentistry

Sedation Dentistry image

Fear and anxiety are common concerns amongst patients of all ages when the need for dental checkups arises. Anxiety and fear can negatively impact your oral health, leading to the development of advanced problems when it comes to your oral health. Our dental care team based in Montclair, CA, is committed to helping patients achieve a healthier smile through compassionate and individualized dental care.


Dr. Paula Izvernari takes the time to understand each patient's concerns, answer any questions, and keep them informed on all aspects of their treatment. Knowing what to expect during your dental visit may help alleviate some fear and anxiety you may feel. Sedation dentistry can also help patients remain relaxed and comfortable throughout their treatment, and even enable them to receive multiple treatments in one visit.

Whether you visit the dentist regularly or you haven't visited the dentist in years, we encourage patients to visit our dental office located in Montclair. We offer a full range of general, cosmetic dental services, and restorative dental care services to enhance your smile. We create a judgment-free environment where patients feel comfortable expressing any fear or anxiety they may have. Our goal is to help each patient feel comfortable, relaxed, and empowered during their visit.

We offer oral conscious sedation and nitrous oxide sedation

Relaxed Patient

Oral conscious sedation involves taking a prescribed medication one hour prior to your visit. This method promotes deep relaxation and drowsiness throughout your treatment.

It's necessary to make arrangements for transportation to and from our office.

Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is delivered via a comfortable nasal mask during your procedure. This sedation creates a calm, euphoric state and many patients have minimal memory of their treatment.

The calming effects begin immediately and completely disappear when the mask is removed.

Oral Sedation

Oral conscious sedation is administered through a pill. You will be instructed to take the pill an hour before your appointment. During the procedure, the patient will experience total relaxation and may feel drowsy. Negative thoughts and emotions, stress, and anxiety will slowly fade once the pill begins to take effect. Your arms and legs will feel heavy, although you will still be conscious and able to move them. Patients will need to coordinate a safe ride to and from our dental office.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as laughing gas administered through a small nasal mask. Patients often report feeling relaxed and having no recollection of their treatment. The benefit of using laughing gas is that the effects are immediate and will diminish once the mask is removed. This colorless and odorless gas is considered safe and extremely effective at helping anxious patients make it through stressful dental appointments.


Frequently Asked Questions

It depends on the type of sedation that is used during the procedure. If you receive oral sedation, you are not allowed to drive and must arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment. You can normally drive yourself home after Nitrous oxide sedation, although we suggest discussing this with Dr. Izvernari before doing so.

Oral conscious sedation requires you to take the prescribed pill exactly an hour before your appointment. It is essential that you arrange transportation to and from our office, since you will not be able to drive. It is also recommended that you avoid eating large meals before your appointment and follow any additional instructions provided by Dr. Izvernari.

No, you will not feel pain during the procedure with the oral conscious sedation method or nitrous oxide. You may feel aches and pains following treatment, which can be assuaged with pain medication.

Sedation dentistry offers benefits to patients and dentists alike. Sedation dentistry:

  • Enhances the effectiveness of the local anesthetic
  • Decreases the gag reflex
  • Alleviates anxiety
  • Eliminates joint and muscle soreness
  • Enables more treatment to be provided in fewer visits
  • Allows the dentist to complete procedures in a timely manner
  • You won’t suffer from painful memories and trauma

Patients can feel comfortable and relaxed during treatment, and dentists can perform treatment faster. It’s a win-win for all involved.

Nitrous oxide is a colorless, odorless gas you breathe through a small, comfortable nasal mask. An immediate feeling of relaxation and euphoria is created by the calming effects of the drug. It is common for patients to have little or no memory of their treatment. Once the mask is removed, the effects completely disappear, allowing you to resume normal activities.

A patient can choose from two forms of sedation: oral conscious sedation or nitrous oxide sedation. During oral conscious sedation, you will take a prescription medication one hour prior to your visit, which will enable you to relax and feel drowsy during your treatment. During the procedure, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is delivered through a comfortable nasal mask, creating a calm, euphoric state with little memory of what happened.

Both types of sedation available will keep you conscious and able to respond to instructions. If you receive oral conscious sedation, you will feel drowsy with heavy arms and legs, but you will still be awake and able to move around. During a nitrous oxide procedure, you remain relaxed and calm while remaining fully conscious.