Can I Get a Root Canal Under Sedation?

Getting a root canal under sedation is a safe and effective way to eliminate pain, anxiety, and discomfort. Contact us today to schedule.

If the thought of a root canal makes you anxious, you’re not alone. Many patients experience fear or nervousness when faced with this procedure. The good news? Yes, you can absolutely get a root canal under sedation!

Sedation dentistry is an excellent option for patients who experience dental anxiety, have a low pain threshold, or require extensive dental work.

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The Dental Anesthesia Center: Sedation and Sleep Dentistry

Based on 96 reviews

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pnkldy74

Our adult daughter has cerebral palsy and requires being fully sedated when having anything done. The DAC was such a positive experience. Dr Hoffmann and his staff were kind and did great explaining things. As a mom, I had a lot of questions about how certain things would be done as usually she’s in her chair when getting examined at her local dentist and they had everything under control including transferring from her chair to the dentist chair and keeping her secured in the dentist chair as well as keeping her neck and legs comfortable. Many thanks to them!

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words. We’re grateful for your trust and happy to hear that you had such a positive experience with our team. Our goal is always to provide compassionate, attentive care in a safe and comfortable environment. We truly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience.

Craig P.

TWENTY YEARS! That is how long our special needs son has been seeing Dr Hoffman and his dedicated team! Our son suffers from an intellectual disability, is non-verbal, and is unable to cooperate for dental cleaning, x-rays, or other routine dental work. He requires general anesthesia. It is such a blessing to avoid a hospital setting just for dental work.

The team is always well staffed, friendly, personable and very professional. Every single year we have been supported by a deeply caring team who are dedicated to patients with a very wide range of disabilities and needs. They have shared useful dental advice and tools (3 sided toothbrushes, blocks to hold open their mouth for daily at-home care, etc.) which improved our son’s daily dental care. We always receive a call back the day after to check his recovery-even on weekends!

Highly recommended and so appreciative to have this team supporting our ever long road of raising a special needs son.

Response from the owner:Wow — thank you for sharing such a heartfelt review! We are so grateful for your trust and for allowing our team to be part of your family’s journey over the years. It means so much to us to know that our care and support have made a difference. We truly appreciate your kind words and recommendation!

Cheryl D.

We've been coming to Dr.Hoffman for twenty years. There's a reason we keep coming back! He's great. His staff is great. He's double boarded as an MD (Anesthesia) and DDS!!! Our son with special needs needs sedation for even a cleaning. You get what you pay for. He's expensive and... we know he's getting the best care!

Response from the owner:Thank you for trusting our team over the years and for your kind words about Dr. Hoffmann and our staff. We truly value your confidence in the care we provide!

Leslie L.

Omg!! This place is Amazing! The people who work here are so very nice and understanding. I love this team

Response from the owner:Thank you so much for your kind words! We truly appreciate your support and are grateful to have such wonderful patients.

Cindy R.

Searching for a new dental clinic is challenging for someone who has
dental anxiety, fear, and traumatic experiences in a dental chair. The staff and doctors at the Dental Anesthesia Center were immediately very welcoming. Dr. Thoms put together a very detailed plan to repair and replace the previous work that I had in the past that was now causing problems. Putting my faith in him was the best thing that I could have done for my situation. I am more than completely satisfied with all of the extensive dental work that I’ve had with Dr.Thoms. I had my fourth sleep dentistry experience yesterday and I’m very happy with my results. I highly recommend this practice and truly want to give them more than five stars! Thank you for giving me back my health and confidence.

Response from the owner:We know it isn’t always easy to find a dental office where you feel at ease, so your words mean the world to us. We’re so glad you feel comfortable with our team and truly appreciate your trust and recommendation!

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What Is a Root Canal?

A root canal is a common endodontic procedure to save a severely decayed or infected tooth. The process involves removing infected pulp inside the tooth, cleaning and disinfecting the root canals, and sealing them to prevent further infection.

Signs You May Need a Root Canal:

• Persistent toothache
• Sensitivity to hot or cold temperatures
• Swollen or tender gums
• Darkening of the tooth
• Pimple-like bumps on the gums (abscesses)

While root canals have an outdated reputation for being painful, modern advancements in dentistry have made them virtually painless—especially when combined with sedation.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry involves using medications to help patients relax during dental procedures. It is particularly beneficial for those with dental anxiety, phobias, special needs, or difficulty sitting still for extended periods.

Types of Sedation Used for Root Canals:

• Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas): A mild sedative that helps you feel relaxed while remaining fully conscious.
• Oral Sedation: A prescription pill taken before the procedure to induce a deep state of relaxation.
• IV Sedation: A stronger form of sedation administered through an IV, allowing for deeper relaxation while still being responsive.
• General Anesthesia: Used in extreme cases, particularly for patients with special needs or severe dental phobia, where they are entirely unconscious.

Benefits of Getting a Root Canal with Sedation

• Pain-Free Experience: You’ll feel little to no discomfort during the procedure.
• Reduced Anxiety: Ideal for patients with dental fear or previous bad experiences.
• Minimizes Gag Reflex: Sedation helps patients with gagging during dental work.
• Time Efficiency: Since you’re more relaxed, dentists can often complete the procedure more quickly and efficiently.

Is Sedation Right for You?

Sedation dentistry is an excellent option if you:

• Experience dental anxiety or fear
• Have a low pain tolerance
• Need multiple procedures done in one visit
• Have a strong gag reflex
• Have trouble sitting still due to medical conditions

Your dentist will assess your medical history and anxiety levels to determine the best sedation method for your needs.

How to Prepare for a Sedated Root Canal

• Consult Your Dentist: Discuss sedation options and ask any questions.
• Follow Pre-Sedation Guidelines: Depending on the sedation type, you may need to fast before the procedure.
• Arrange Transportation: With IV or oral sedation, you’ll need someone to drive you home.
• Wear Comfortable Clothing: This helps make the experience as stress-free as possible.

Aftercare and Recovery

Following your root canal, you may experience mild soreness, which can be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers. If sedated, you might feel drowsy for a few hours, so rest is recommended.

Post-Sedation Tips:

• Avoid driving for at least 24 hours after IV or oral sedation.
• Stick to soft foods until you feel comfortable chewing.
• Follow any additional instructions from your dentist.