Do you avoid the dentist due to fear or anxiety? You’re not alone—millions of Americans delay or skip dental care because of dental phobia. At East Wind Dental Care, Dr. Merat Ostovar offers gentle sedation dentistry to help anxious patients receive the dental care they need in a calm, comfortable, stress-free environment.
Understanding Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety is incredibly common. Studies show that approximately 36% of Americans experience some level of dental anxiety, while 12% suffer from extreme dental phobia. This fear can lead to avoiding necessary dental care, which often results in more serious (and more complex) dental problems down the road.
Common Causes of Dental Fear
Past Traumatic Experiences: A painful or frightening dental experience—especially in childhood—can create lasting anxiety about dental visits.
Fear of Pain: Worry about experiencing pain during procedures is one of the most common dental fears, even though modern dentistry offers excellent pain control.
Loss of Control: Lying back in a dental chair with someone working in your mouth can trigger feelings of vulnerability and helplessness.
Embarrassment: Many people feel self-conscious about the condition of their teeth or haven’t been to the dentist in years and feel ashamed.
Sensory Triggers: The sounds of dental instruments, the smell of the office, or even the sight of needles can trigger anxiety.
Gag Reflex: A sensitive gag reflex can make dental procedures uncomfortable and stressful.
General Anxiety Disorder: People with anxiety disorders may experience heightened fear in dental settings.
The Consequences of Avoiding Dental Care
When dental anxiety prevents you from getting regular care, small problems become big problems:
- Minor cavities become painful infections requiring root canals
- Early gum disease progresses to advanced periodontitis and tooth loss
- Treatable oral cancer may go undetected
- Cosmetic concerns worsen, affecting self-esteem
- Overall health suffers (oral health is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and more)
- Treatment becomes more complex, lengthy, and expensive
The good news? Sedation dentistry can break this cycle, allowing you to get the care you need without the fear.
What is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures. It’s sometimes called “sleep dentistry,” though that’s not entirely accurate—most sedation methods keep you awake but deeply relaxed.
Sedation dentistry isn’t just for anxious patients. It can also benefit:
- Patients with a strong gag reflex
- Those needing extensive or lengthy procedures
- People with sensitive teeth or gums
- Patients with physical conditions that make sitting still difficult
- Those with cognitive or developmental disabilities
- Patients who want to combine multiple procedures in one visit
Our Sedation Options
At East Wind Dental Care, we offer two safe, effective sedation options to match your level of anxiety and the nature of your procedure.
1. Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide is a mild sedative inhaled through a small mask placed over your nose. It’s the lightest form of sedation and is ideal for patients with mild to moderate anxiety.
How It Works: You breathe a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen, which takes effect within minutes. You’ll feel calm, relaxed, and perhaps a bit euphoric (hence the nickname “laughing gas”).
Benefits:
- Takes effect quickly (within 2-3 minutes)
- Wears off quickly (5-10 minutes after the mask is removed)
- You remain awake and responsive
- No lingering drowsiness—you can drive yourself home
- Safe for most patients, including children
- Adjustable level of sedation throughout the procedure
- No needles required
Best For: Routine cleanings, fillings, minor procedures, patients with mild anxiety, patients who need to return to work or activities after their appointment.
2. Oral Conscious Sedation
Oral conscious sedation involves taking a prescription sedative pill (typically a benzodiazepine like Halcion or Valium) about an hour before your appointment. This provides a deeper level of relaxation than nitrous oxide.
How It Works: You take the prescribed medication as directed, typically 30-60 minutes before your appointment. By the time you arrive, you’ll feel drowsy and deeply relaxed. During the procedure, you’ll be conscious but in a dream-like state. Many patients have little or no memory of the procedure afterward.
Benefits:
- Deep relaxation without IV sedation
- Reduces or eliminates memory of the procedure
- Excellent for moderate to severe anxiety
- Allows multiple procedures in one visit
- Time seems to pass quickly
- No needles required (except for local anesthetic)
- Safe when monitored by a trained dental team
Best For: Patients with moderate to severe dental anxiety, lengthy or complex procedures, patients who want minimal memory of the procedure, those who have avoided the dentist for years.
Important: With oral conscious sedation, you’ll need someone to drive you to and from your appointment, and you should plan to rest for the remainder of the day.
The Sedation Dentistry Process
Step 1: Consultation & Evaluation
Before recommending sedation, Dr. Ostovar will conduct a thorough consultation to review your medical history, current medications, and allergies. We’ll discuss your dental fears and previous experiences, evaluate your level of anxiety, explain sedation options and help you choose the right one, answer all your questions, and provide pre-sedation instructions.
Step 2: Pre-Appointment Preparation
For Nitrous Oxide: No special preparation needed, though we recommend eating a light meal beforehand.
For Oral Conscious Sedation: Don’t eat or drink for 6-8 hours before your appointment, take the prescribed medication as directed, arrange for someone to drive you to and from the office, wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing, and plan to rest for the remainder of the day.
Step 3: During Your Appointment
Our team will monitor your vital signs throughout the procedure. You’ll be awake (unless under deep sedation) but deeply relaxed. We’ll communicate with you and ensure your comfort, and local anesthetic will still be used for pain control.
Step 4: Recovery
Nitrous Oxide: Within 5-10 minutes of removing the mask, the effects wear off completely. You can drive yourself home and resume normal activities.
Oral Conscious Sedation: You’ll feel drowsy for several hours. Your driver will take you home, where you should rest for the remainder of the day. Don’t drive, operate machinery, make important decisions, or consume alcohol for 24 hours.
Step 5: Follow-Up
We’ll provide post-procedure care instructions and schedule any necessary follow-up appointments. Many patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable their experience was and feel empowered to continue with regular dental care.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
1. Overcome Dental Anxiety: Sedation allows anxious patients to receive necessary dental care in a calm, relaxed state.
2. Reduced Perception of Time: Lengthy procedures seem to pass in minutes, making complex treatments much more manageable.
3. Multiple Procedures in One Visit: With sedation, we can often complete multiple treatments in a single appointment, reducing the number of visits needed.
4. Better Treatment Outcomes: Relaxed patients are easier to treat, allowing for more precise, efficient work.
5. Minimal Memory of the Procedure: Especially with oral conscious sedation, many patients have little or no memory of the procedure.
6. Control of Gag Reflex: Sedation helps suppress the gag reflex, making treatment more comfortable for patients with sensitive reflexes.
7. A Path to Better Oral Health: By making dental visits manageable, sedation helps patients establish regular care routines and achieve better long-term oral health.
Is Sedation Dentistry Safe?
Yes, when administered by a trained dental professional. At East Wind Dental Care, your safety is our top priority.
Our Safety Protocols
- Thorough Medical Screening: We review your complete medical history and current medications
- Appropriate Patient Selection: We only recommend sedation for suitable candidates
- Continuous Monitoring: Your vital signs (heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels) are monitored throughout
- Trained Team: Our staff is trained in sedation administration and emergency protocols
- Emergency Preparedness: We maintain emergency equipment and medications on site
- Proper Dosing: Sedation levels are carefully tailored to each patient
Who Should Avoid Sedation?
Sedation may not be appropriate for patients with certain medical conditions including severe respiratory problems (for nitrous oxide), pregnant women, patients with certain allergies, those with a history of substance abuse, patients with certain heart conditions, and those taking medications that may interact with sedatives. During your consultation, we’ll carefully evaluate your health history to determine if sedation is safe for you.
Cost & Insurance
Investment in Your Comfort
Nitrous Oxide: $50-$100 per visit
Oral Conscious Sedation: $150-$500 per visit
Costs vary based on the length of your procedure and the level of sedation required.
Insurance Coverage
Some dental insurance plans cover sedation dentistry, especially when deemed medically necessary. We’ll verify your benefits and help you understand your coverage and file claims on your behalf.
Financing Options
We offer flexible payment plans through CareCredit to make sedation dentistry affordable with low monthly payments and interest-free promotional periods for qualified applicants.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I be unconscious during sedation?
With nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation, you remain awake but deeply relaxed. You can respond to verbal cues but may feel drowsy.
Will I remember anything?
With nitrous oxide, you’ll remember most of the procedure. With oral conscious sedation, many patients have little or no memory of the treatment.
Will I feel pain?
No. Sedation helps you relax, but local anesthetic is still used to numb the treatment area. You shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure.
Is sedation dentistry safe for children?
Nitrous oxide is very safe for children and commonly used in pediatric dentistry. We evaluate each child individually to determine the best approach.
How long does sedation last?
Nitrous oxide wears off within 5-10 minutes. Oral conscious sedation effects can last 4-6 hours, which is why you need a driver and should rest afterward.
Can I eat before sedation?
For nitrous oxide, eat a light meal before your appointment. For oral conscious sedation, don’t eat or drink for 6-8 hours beforehand.
Will I be able to drive after my appointment?
With nitrous oxide, yes. With oral conscious sedation, no—you’ll need someone to drive you home and should not drive for 24 hours.
Can sedation help with my gag reflex?
Yes! Sedation significantly reduces or eliminates the gag reflex, making treatment much more comfortable for sensitive patients.
What if sedation doesn’t work for me?
We carefully tailor sedation levels to each patient. If one method isn’t effective, we can adjust or try a different approach. For severe cases, we can refer you to an oral surgeon who offers IV sedation or general anesthesia.
How do I know which sedation option is right for me?
During your consultation, Dr. Ostovar will evaluate your anxiety level, medical history, and the nature of your procedure to recommend the best option for you.
Patient Success Stories
“I hadn’t been to the dentist in over 10 years because of my anxiety. Dr. O and his team made me feel so comfortable. With the laughing gas, I was actually able to relax! I’m no longer afraid of the dentist.”
— Jennifer M., Hillsboro
“I needed extensive work done and was terrified. The oral sedation was a game-changer. I barely remember the appointment, and before I knew it, everything was done. I wish I had known about this years ago!”
— Robert T., Beaverton
“My gag reflex made dental work nearly impossible. Sedation dentistry at East Wind changed everything. Now I can get the care I need without discomfort.”
— Sarah K., Aloha
Take the First Step Toward Anxiety-Free Dental Care
Don’t let fear keep you from a healthy, beautiful smile. Dr. Ostovar and the team at East Wind Dental Care are committed to making your dental experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible.
Schedule Your Sedation Dentistry Consultation Today
Call: (503) 614-0198
Visit: 7546 NE Shaleen St, Hillsboro, OR 97124
Serving: Hillsboro, Beaverton, Aloha, and Surrounding Areas
During your consultation, we’ll listen to your concerns without judgment, explain your sedation options, answer all your questions, create a comfortable treatment plan, and help you take the first step toward better oral health.
You deserve comfortable, anxiety-free dental care. Let us help you overcome your fear—call us today!
Written by Dr. Merat Ostovar, DDS
Doctor of Dental Surgery | 15+ Years Experience
Aloha Modern Dentistry | Beaverton, Oregon
Last updated: November 26, 2025