It’s a sad fact of life that so many people don’t seek the dental care they need out of fear of the distress and pain associated with oral health care. While it’s true that dentistry in the past used to be quite an ordeal for many patients, modern dentistry has made incredible advancements in technology and training to help make procedures much less discomforting. 

You may have found us by searching for terms like “pain-free dentist in Costa Mesa,” and while there were likely tons of other choices, let us assure you — your search is over. Here at Smiles4OC, Dr. Thomas Rolfes and his incredibly talented staff are trained in providing painless dental treatments using a variety of state-of-the-art sedation methods, such as the popular oral conscious sedation.

What does sedation do for patients?

Sedation benefits patients suffering from dental anxiety by alleviating dental stress while reducing the number of visits and time a patient needs to spend in a dental office. We offer different sedation options based on a patient’s unique needs.

Nitrous oxide sedation

Known more commonly as “laughing gas,” nitrous oxide sedation is a technique that uses a colorless and slightly sweet-smelling gas combined with oxygen that is inhaled through a mask fitted over the nose. This method provides the lightest medication, and the dosage is carefully monitored and controlled by a professional.

Throughout your dental procedure, you’ll remain conscious of everything around you. And as soon as we take the mask off, the effects begin to subside. You’ll be able to safely operate a vehicle and continue your day without any complications. This is a good option for patients who suffer from low to mild anxiety. This option is also helpful for patients with an extremely sensitive gag reflex who may otherwise suffer an unpleasant experience during examinations and cleanings.

IV sedation

IV sedation is deep-level sedation that allows the patient to have virtually no memory of the procedure. We often use this option for patients who have severe anxiety, and it allows us to make immediate adjustments to the medication to ensure you stay comfortable and completely relaxed. We usually only consider this sedation method for those patients who suffer the most extreme forms of dental anxiety or during procedures that will require more extended periods in the dental chair.

Oral conscious sedation

Our most popular form of sedation is oral conscious sedation, which involves a single oral dose or incremental doses that put a patient in a deeply relaxed state. However, this method also has some residual effects. There are cases in which we may recommend combining oral conscious sedation with nitrous oxide, depending on a patient’s unique circumstances. With oral conscious sedation, you remain conscious but feel much more relaxed and feel no anxiety during the procedure. This technique is popular among patients who have moderate levels of anxiety. The sedative pill is often taken the night before patients arrive at the office, and the effects last for quite a bit of time afterward.

General anesthesia

General anesthesia is another deep-level sedation method. This sedation option requires a licensed and highly-trained medical anesthesiologist to administer the drug and monitor its application. You will not even know or likely recall ever undergoing a dental procedure when you wake up. Patients must arrange for transportation after undergoing this type of sedation.

A more relaxed dental experience is only a phone call away

Don’t let dental anxiety prevent you from receiving the oral health care you need. Please call us at (714) 557-0700 to schedule your appointment with Dr. Thomas Rolfes and his team today. Smiles4OC is located at 1530 Baker St J, Costa Mesa, CA 92626.

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