Rocklin Sedation Dentistry
Take the Worry Out of Dental Care
If you feel anxious about going to the dentist, allow Smile Island Dental Group’s new sedation dentistry treatment options to help alleviate your fears.
The Smile Island Approach to Sedation Dentistry
Do you worry about, or flat-out avoid, going to the dentist? You’re not alone! That’s why our expert doctors at Smile Island provide sedation dentistry in a safe, respectful, and compassionate environment so you can feel more at ease.
At Smile Island, we take pride in being sensitive to dental phobias. We understand that dental anxiety usually comes from personal experience and aim to replace negative interactions with positive ones.
We’ll help you relax during your visit by discussing your needs in a non-clinical environment before any procedure. Our friendly staff is also trained to administer the latest options in sedation dentistry, including:
- Inhalation sedation: Laughing gas
- Oral sedation: Valium, halcion
- IV sedation: Conscious sedation
We know how to help you overcome dental anxiety using a combination of behavioral strategies and pharmacological techniques. So put your fears to rest — we’ve got you covered!
Smile Island Can Help With Your Dental Anxiety
Dental anxiety is more common than you might think—it's actually the top reason people avoid seeing the dentist. In fact, up to 75% of adults in the U.S. experience some level of dental fear, ranging from mild unease to severe phobia.
For those with extreme dental anxiety, visits to the dentist can feel impossible. Some may avoid appointments altogether, while others push through but feel nervous the entire time. This often leads to a cycle of avoidance, where dental care is postponed until a serious issue arises, which may require more invasive treatment—only reinforcing the fear.
It doesn’t have to be this way. At Smile Island, we offer advanced treatment options to help patients feel comfortable and at ease, no matter their level of dental anxiety. Your oral health is essential, and our goal is to make sure your visit is stress-free and supportive.
Benefits of Sedation Dentistry
Sedation dentistry offers several advantages that can make your visit more comfortable and efficient, including:
- Feel utterly relaxed throughout your appointment.
- Complete complex or multiple procedures in a single visit.
- Get back on track with your dental care, even if you’ve been avoiding it for years.
- Feel confident with IV sedation safely administered by a licensed nurse anesthetist (CRNA).
- Wake up feeling refreshed and ready to continue your day with a carefully monitored sedation level adjusted to your unique needs.
Types of Sedation Dentistry at Smile Island
Inhalation Sedation
At Smile Island, we understand that dental visits can be a source of anxiety for some patients. That’s why your doctor may recommend laughing gas as a safe and effective way to help you feel more at ease during your appointment.
Laughing gas is inhaled through a comfortable mask worn over your nose and gently helps you relax without putting you to sleep. You’ll remain aware and able to respond, but you may feel a pleasant sense of calm, or even a light, euphoric sensation.
Everyone’s experience is a little different, and we’ll make sure your levels are appropriate for your needs.
One of the great things about laughing gas is that its effects wear off quickly, allowing many patients to drive themselves home afterward. If dental visits make you uneasy, laughing gas could be the perfect way to help you relax and focus on your care.
Oral Sedation
If you feel anxious about dental visits, oral sedation can be a great option to help you stay calm and comfortable. Your doctor may recommend a pill like Valium or Halcion, which works by calming the parts of your brain that trigger fear and anxiety.
Oral sedation will help you feel relaxed but may cause slight drowsiness and even give you mild tingling sensations or slight memory loss of the procedure.
While you’ll stay awake and be able to communicate with our team, the calming effects will last for a while. You’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home after your appointment.
IV Sedation
For patients seeking a deeper level of relaxation during their visit, your doctor may recommend intravenous (IV) sedation.
This option, sometimes called “conscious sedation,” is administered through your arm or hand. While you’ll remain aware and able to breathe on your own, you’ll feel deeply relaxed, and our team will monitor your vitals to ensure you’re safe and comfortable throughout the procedure.
Unlike general anesthesia, where patients are entirely unconscious and require assistance with breathing, IV sedation allows you to respond to prompts from the dentist while staying in a calm, dream-like state. A certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) will carefully administer and monitor your sedation so our team can focus entirely on your treatment.
Because IV sedation is more predictable than oral sedation, many patients find it to be a reliable option for managing anxiety or discomfort. After your procedure, you’ll need someone to drive you home and stay with you, as some effects can last for the rest of the day.