Sedation dentistry for a relaxing dental experience in Greensboro, NC

At Triad Dentistry, one of our top priorities is providing our patients with a comfortable and positive dental care experience. Regular dental checkups can help our patients keep their smiles healthy, but some people find themselves avoiding dental care until they have a serious problem due to dental anxiety. We understand that dental treatment can be daunting for some of our patients for various reasons, so we offer safe sedation options to help our patients have a relaxed experience at our office in Greensboro, North Carolina.

What is sedation dentistry?

Sedation dentistry refers to the use of medication to help you feel calm and relaxed while you are receiving dental care. In most cases, patients are awake during the procedure, but the sedation helps reduce feelings of anxiety or fear and promote a sense of comfort throughout your dental treatment.

Who can benefit from sedation dentistry

It is a misconception that only patients with extreme dental fears can benefit from sedation dentistry. In fact, it can be a great option for a variety of patients, such as those who:

  • Have sensitive teeth
  • Are undergoing multiple procedures or lengthy treatments that will involve an extended amount of time in the dental chair
  • Have a strong gag reflex that makes dental procedures uncomfortable
  • Have difficulty with becoming completely numbed using local anesthetics
  • Become sore during dental treatments due to keeping their mouth open

In short, sedation dentistry is recommended in any case in which you may otherwise put off or avoid getting treatment, which can lead to more complicated and irreversible tooth or gum damage down the road.

Types of sedation

There are multiple different forms of sedation that can be used depending on each patient’s individual needs and preferences. It can be used on patients of all ages, and we can help you decide which option is best on a case-by-case basis—what is best for one patient is different for another, and the best treatment for each individual even differs depending on which specific procedure is being performed.

  • Nitrous oxide (laughing gas): This is the mildest form of dental sedation and the most common. It is a colorless, odorless gas that you breathe in through a small nasal mask. We start the administration a short time before beginning your treatment, and it takes effect quite rapidly. It can be a great way for pediatric patients to sit through procedures such as dental fillings, as well as help promote a sense of calm and relaxation in adults who may be uneasy about their treatment. We carefully control the dose and the effects wear off within a few minutes after we stop the gas flow.
  • Oral conscious sedation: With this type of sedation, we prescribe an oral sedation medication that you take at a specific time before your appointment. This provides a deeper level of sedation than nitrous oxide before, during, and after your treatment, but you will still be awake and able to follow directions or answer questions throughout the procedure. One of the side effects is grogginess, so you will need to have a trusted friend or family member drive you to and from your appointment. Many patients are so relaxed that they remember little about their time in the dental chair after the medication has worn off.
  • Intravenous sedation: This is the deepest level of sedation, which can be used for complex treatments or patients who are extremely anxious. It can be administered at varying levels from “twilight sleep,” where you are sleepy but still somewhat awake, to general anesthesia, which puts you into a deep sleep.

Sedation dentistry at Triad Dentistry - Dr. Hatcher

Sedation dentistry at Triad Dentistry - Dr. Hatcher
What is sedation dentistry and how can it help anyone facing dental anxiety? Watch this video as Dr. Hatcher explains sedation dentistry and the sedation options available at Triad Dentistry.

What is sedation dentistry?

Hi, this is Dr. Steven Hatcher from Triad Dentistry. A frequent service requested at our office is sedation dentistry.

It’s not a little-known fact that many people do not like having dentistry performed, so there are different avenues available to make it easier for them.

The simplest form is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. Some people even like to have laughing gas for the cleanings as it relaxes them. It’s like they had a glass of wine and takes the stress off. 

We put you on oxygen when you’re done, and you 100% turn back to normal. You can go about your day, drive home, and resume your daily activities without a problem.

What are the other sedation options available?

The next level of sedation is something called IV sedation. This is conscious sedation. We place an IV in your arm, give you some medications, and you drift into the twilight zone.

When you wake up, all your work is done, and frequently someone would ask when are we going to get started, and we tell them that we’re already done.

So you kind of lose track of time, and it’s a great way if you don’t like the sounds or smells of dentistry to get your work done.

The next level of sedation is called general anesthesia. In general anesthesia, you are completely unconscious, and for that, we bring in an anesthesiologist.

You are completely out, you know, just as if you are having knee surgery. General anesthesia is the highest form of sedation available.

Please feel free to contact us if you need further information.


Dr. Steven Hatcher

Dr. Steven Hatcher

Dr. Chad Merrell

Dr. Chad Merrell

Dr. Sona Isharani

Dr. Sona Isharani

Dr. Victoria Santiago-Coiro

Dr. Victoria Santiago-Coiro

Dr. Steven Hatcher, Dr. Chad Merrell, Dr. Sona Isharani, and Dr. Victoria Santiago-Coiro comprise the team of qualified and experienced doctors at Triad Dentistry. They are passionate and driven professionals who strive to preserve and enhance the natural beauty in every dental treatment. Together with the other members of the team, they focus on developing an individualist approach when it comes to treating patients to ensure patient care is a tailor-made experience for the comfort of each client.

Do not let dental phobias stop you from getting the care you need

If you have been putting off a visit to the dentist due to dental anxieties or the thought of feeling discomfort during a procedure you need, there is no need to delay any longer. In addition to providing sedation dental services, our dental office goes the extra step to ensure you are comfortable, with a warm and relaxing environment and a gentle touch. To learn more about how sedation dentistry might benefit you, call our Greensboro, NC office today at (336) 383-1482!