Sedation Dentistry in Hillsboro | Anxiety-Free Dental Care | East Wind Dental Care

If you avoid the dentist due to fear or anxiety, you’re not alone—millions of Americans experience dental anxiety, and many delay or avoid necessary care because of it. At East Wind Dental Care, Dr. Merat Ostovar offers safe, effective sedation dentistry options to help you feel relaxed, comfortable, and at ease during your dental treatment. With sedation, you can finally get the care you need without fear or stress.

Schedule Your Sedation Dentistry Consultation → | Call (503) 614-0198

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Understanding Dental Anxiety

Dental anxiety is more common than you might think. Studies show that:

• 36% of Americans experience dental anxiety
• 12% have extreme dental fear
• Many people avoid the dentist for years due to anxiety
• Dental anxiety affects people of all ages

Common Causes of Dental Anxiety

Fear of Pain:

Many people associate dental visits with pain, often based on past experiences or stories they’ve heard.

Loss of Control:

Being in the dental chair can make some people feel vulnerable and helpless.

Embarrassment:

Some patients feel self-conscious about the condition of their teeth or need for dental work.

Bad Past Experiences:

Painful or traumatic dental experiences—especially in childhood—can create lasting anxiety.

Fear of Needles:

Injections for numbing can be a source of anxiety for many patients.

Sounds, Smells & Sensations:

The sights, sounds, and smells of a dental office can trigger anxiety for some people.

Feeling Judged:

Worry about being criticized for poor oral hygiene or dental neglect.

The Consequences of Avoiding Dental Care

While avoiding the dentist may provide short-term relief from anxiety, it leads to serious long-term consequences:

• Small problems become major issues requiring more extensive treatment

• Tooth pain and infections can affect quality of life
• Missing teeth impact confidence, nutrition, and social interactions
• Oral health problems are linked to serious medical conditions
• Emergency situations become more likely

The Good News:

Sedation dentistry makes it possible to receive comfortable, anxiety-free dental care—helping you break the cycle of avoidance and get your oral health back on track.

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What is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry uses safe, proven medications to help patients feel relaxed and comfortable during dental procedures. Depending on the level of sedation, you may feel drowsy, deeply relaxed, or have little memory of your treatment—but in most cases, you remain conscious and able to respond to instructions.

Who Benefits from Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is ideal for patients who:

✅ Experience dental anxiety or phobia

✅ Have had traumatic dental experiences in the past

✅ Have a strong gag reflex

✅ Have difficulty getting numb with local anesthesia

✅ Have sensitive teeth or gums

✅ Need extensive dental work completed

✅ Want to combine multiple procedures into fewer visits

✅ Have difficulty sitting still for long periods

✅ Have special needs or medical conditions affecting dental care

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Sedation Options at East Wind Dental Care

Dr. Ostovar is certified in sedation dentistry and offers multiple sedation options to meet your individual needs and comfort level.

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

What It Is:

Nitrous oxide, commonly known as “laughing gas,” is a safe, mild sedative inhaled through a small mask placed over your nose.

How It Works:

You breathe normally through your nose while receiving a mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen. Within minutes, you’ll feel:

• Relaxed and calm
• Less anxious
• Possibly light-headed or slightly giddy
• Tingling sensations in your hands and feet
• Reduced sensitivity to pain

What to Expect:

• You remain fully conscious and can communicate with Dr. O
• You can still follow instructions and respond to questions
• Effects are mild and pleasant
• You have full control and can request adjustments to the flow
• Effects wear off within minutes after the mask is removed
• You can drive yourself home after your appointment

Best For:

• Mild to moderate anxiety
• Short to medium-length procedures
• Patients who want to remain fully aware
• Children and adults
• Patients who need to drive themselves home

Safety:

Nitrous oxide is extremely safe and has been used in dentistry for over 150 years. It’s safe for children, pregnant women (in most cases), and patients with most medical conditions.

Oral Conscious Sedation

What It Is:

Oral conscious sedation involves taking a prescribed medication (typically from the benzodiazepine family) before your appointment to produce a deeper state of relaxation.

How It Works:

You’ll take a prescribed pill about an hour before your appointment. The medication produces:

• Deep relaxation and drowsiness
• Significantly reduced anxiety
• Reduced awareness of the procedure
• Little to no memory of the treatment
• Reduced gag reflex
• Feeling of time passing quickly

What to Expect:

• You remain conscious but very drowsy
• You can still respond to instructions, though you may not remember
• You’ll feel extremely relaxed and may drift in and out of light sleep
• Effects can last several hours after your appointment
• You cannot drive yourself home—you’ll need someone to drive you to and from your appointment

Best For:

• Moderate to severe dental anxiety
• Longer procedures or multiple treatments in one visit
• Patients who want minimal memory of the procedure
• Patients who have difficulty getting numb with local anesthesia
• Adults (not typically recommended for young children)

Safety:

Oral sedation is very safe when administered by a trained, certified dentist like Dr. Ostovar. We’ll carefully review your medical history and current medications to ensure safety.

Preparation Requirements:

• Arrange transportation to and from your appointment
• Fast for several hours before your appointment (specific instructions provided)
• Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before and after
• Take medications as prescribed

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The Sedation Dentistry Process at East Wind Dental Care

Step 1: Initial Consultation

During your consultation, Dr. Ostovar will:

• Discuss your dental anxiety and concerns
• Review your medical history and current medications
• Explain sedation options and help you choose the best one
• Answer all your questions
• Create a customized treatment plan

Step 2: Pre-Appointment Preparation

Before your sedation appointment, we’ll provide detailed instructions, which may include:

• Fasting requirements (for oral sedation)
• What medications to take or avoid
• Arranging transportation
• What to wear (comfortable, loose-fitting clothing)
• What to expect during and after sedation

Step 3: Day of Treatment

For Nitrous Oxide:

• Arrive at your regular appointment time
• We’ll place the small mask over your nose
• You’ll breathe normally and begin feeling relaxed within minutes
• Dr. O will complete your treatment while you remain comfortable
• The mask is removed at the end of treatment
• You’ll breathe pure oxygen for a few minutes
• Effects wear off quickly, and you can drive home

For Oral Conscious Sedation:

• Take your prescribed medication about 1 hour before your appointment
• Your driver brings you to our office (do not drive!)
• We’ll get you comfortably settled in the treatment room
• We’ll monitor your vital signs throughout the procedure
• Dr. O will complete your treatment while you rest comfortably
• You may doze or drift in and out of awareness
• After treatment, you’ll rest in our recovery area
• Your driver will take you home to rest

Step 4: Post-Treatment & Recovery

After Nitrous Oxide:

• No recovery time needed
• Resume normal activities immediately
• No dietary restrictions
• No lingering effects

After Oral Sedation:

• Rest at home for the remainder of the day
• Someone should stay with you for several hours
• Avoid driving, operating machinery, making important decisions, or drinking alcohol for 24 hours
• Expect to feel drowsy or groggy for several hours
• Eat soft foods and stay hydrated
• Follow all post-treatment care instructions

Step 5: Follow-Up

We’ll contact you the next day to check on your recovery and answer any questions. If additional treatment is needed, we can schedule your next sedation appointment.

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Benefits of Sedation Dentistry

Overcome Anxiety & Fear

The primary benefit of sedation dentistry is helping anxious patients receive the dental care they need without fear or stress. Many patients who avoided the dentist for years finally get back on track with sedation.

Reduced Discomfort

While local anesthesia numbs your teeth, sedation helps you feel mentally and physically relaxed, reducing perceived discomfort and making the experience more pleasant.

Time Efficiency

Sedation allows Dr. Ostovar to complete more work in a single visit. Instead of spreading treatment across multiple appointments, we can often combine procedures—saving you time and multiple trips.

Reduced Gag Reflex

Sedation significantly reduces the gag reflex, making dental work easier and more comfortable for patients who typically struggle with gagging.

Little to No Memory

With oral conscious sedation, you’ll have little to no memory of the procedure—helpful for patients who are extremely anxious about dental work.

Better Treatment Outcomes

When patients are relaxed, Dr. Ostovar can work more efficiently and precisely, often leading to better treatment outcomes.

Improved Oral Health

By making dental care accessible and comfortable, sedation helps patients maintain regular care and avoid serious problems that develop from neglect.

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Safety of Sedation Dentistry

Sedation dentistry is very safe when administered by a trained, certified dentist like Dr. Ostovar. At East Wind Dental Care, your safety is our highest priority.

Our Safety Protocols Include:

Thorough Medical Screening:

We carefully review your medical history, current medications, and any conditions that might affect sedation.

Vital Sign Monitoring:

Throughout your sedation appointment, we continuously monitor your blood pressure, heart rate, and oxygen levels.

Certification & Training:

Dr. Ostovar has completed advanced training and certification in sedation dentistry and stays current with continuing education.

Emergency Preparedness:

Our team is trained in emergency procedures, and we maintain emergency equipment and medications on-site.

Appropriate Medication Dosing:

We calculate medication dosages based on your individual factors (weight, medical history, anxiety level) to ensure safety and effectiveness.

Who Should Avoid Sedation?

While sedation is safe for most patients, it may not be appropriate for:

• Pregnant women (especially 1st trimester)
• Patients with certain respiratory conditions
• Patients with sleep apnea (case-by-case)
• Patients with certain allergies
• Patients taking medications that interact with sedatives

Dr. Ostovar will thoroughly review your medical history to determine if sedation is safe for you.

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Cost & Insurance Coverage

Investment in Your Oral Health & Wellbeing

The cost of sedation dentistry varies depending on the type of sedation and length of your appointment:

Nitrous Oxide:

Typically $75-$150 per appointment

Oral Conscious Sedation:

Typically $250-$500 per appointment

Insurance Coverage

Some dental insurance plans cover sedation dentistry, especially when medically necessary. Our team will:

• Verify your benefits
• Determine coverage for sedation
• File claims on your behalf
• Provide accurate cost estimates

Worth the Investment

While sedation adds to the cost of your dental care, consider:

• Getting multiple procedures done in one visit saves time and money
• Preventing serious problems through regular care saves money long-term
• Your mental health and wellbeing are priceless
• Many patients say sedation is worth every penny for the peace of mind it provides

Financing Options

We offer flexible payment plans through CareCredit to help make sedation dentistry affordable.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry

1. Will I be unconscious during sedation?

No. Both nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation keep you conscious and able to respond. You’ll feel very relaxed and may drift in and out of sleep with oral sedation, but you’re not “put under” like general anesthesia.

2. Will I feel pain during treatment?

No. Sedation is combined with local anesthesia (numbing), so you won’t feel pain. Sedation helps you feel mentally relaxed while local anesthesia ensures physical comfort.

3. How long does sedation last?

Nitrous oxide wears off within minutes. Oral sedation can last several hours—you may feel drowsy for the rest of the day.

4. Can I drive myself home after sedation?

After nitrous oxide: Yes.

After oral conscious sedation: No. You must arrange transportation.

5. What if I wake up during oral sedation?

You may drift in and out of awareness during oral sedation—this is normal. You’re not truly asleep, just deeply relaxed. If you become aware, you’ll still feel calm and comfortable.

6. Is sedation safe for children?

Nitrous oxide is very safe for children and commonly used. Oral sedation is typically only recommended for older children and teens, evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

7. Can I eat before my sedation appointment?

For nitrous oxide: Yes, you can eat normally.

For oral sedation: You’ll need to fast for several hours—we’ll provide specific instructions.

8. Will I remember anything?

With nitrous oxide: Yes, you’ll have full memory.

With oral sedation: You may have little to no memory of the procedure.

9. How will I feel after sedation?

After nitrous oxide: Normal—effects wear off immediately.

After oral sedation: Drowsy and groggy for several hours. You’ll need to rest at home.

10. Is sedation dentistry covered by insurance?

Some plans cover it, especially when medically necessary. We’ll verify your coverage and help you understand your benefits.

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Patient Success Stories

“I hadn’t been to the dentist in 15 years because of fear. Dr. O suggested oral sedation, and it changed my life. I don’t remember anything from the appointment, and when I woke up, all my dental work was done. I actually came back for my next appointment—that’s how comfortable it was!”

— Jennifer M., Hillsboro

“I have a terrible gag reflex and always dreaded the dentist. Nitrous oxide makes such a difference—I’m relaxed, and my gag reflex is barely there. Now I actually don’t mind dental appointments!”

— Mark T., Beaverton

“Dr. Ostovar is so patient and understanding about my anxiety. The sedation options make it possible for me to get the care I need without panic attacks. I’m so grateful!”

— Linda R., Aloha

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Take the First Step Toward Anxiety-Free Dental Care

You don’t have to let fear keep you from a healthy smile. Sedation dentistry at East Wind Dental Care makes it possible to receive comfortable, stress-free dental care—no matter how anxious you feel.

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, Dr. Ostovar will:

• Listen to your concerns without judgment
• Explain sedation options in detail
• Answer all your questions
• Help you choose the best sedation method for your needs
• Create a plan to get your oral health back on track

Don’t let anxiety control your oral health any longer. Call us today to learn more about how sedation dentistry can help you!

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East Wind Dental Care—Anxiety-Free Dentistry, Exceptional Care