How to Prepare for a Sedation Dentistry Appointment

Preparing for your sedation dentistry appointment ensures a smooth and safe experience. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

If you’ve scheduled a sedation dentistry appointment, you take an important step toward stress-free, pain-free dental care. Whether you experience dental anxiety, have a strong gag reflex, or need extensive dental work, sedation ensures a comfortable experience. However, preparing correctly is essential for a safe, smooth, and effective procedure.

If you have questions or need to schedule an appointment, contact us today!

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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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Why Choose Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry is ideal for patients who:

• Experience severe dental anxiety or phobia
• Have difficulty sitting still for long procedures
• Need extensive dental work in one visit
• Have a low pain tolerance or sensitive teeth
• Have a strong gag reflex
• Have special needs or medical conditions that make dental care challenging

Depending on your level of anxiety and the procedure being performed, your dentist will recommend the most suitable type of sedation for you.

Types of Sedation in Dentistry

• Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
  • A mild sedative inhaled through a mask.
  • Helps you relax but wears off quickly.
  • You can drive yourself home afterward.
• Oral Sedation
  • A prescribed pill taken before the appointment.
  • Induces a deeper state of relaxation but keeps you awake.
  • You will need someone to drive you home after the procedure.
• IV Sedation
  • Administered directly into the bloodstream for deep relaxation.
  • You may have little to no memory of the procedure.
  • Requires someone to accompany you home.
• General Anesthesia
  • You are fully unconscious during the procedure.
  • Ideal for patients with extreme anxiety or complex dental needs.
  • Requires a trained dental anesthesia provider.
  • You must have a companion to take you home and monitor your recovery.

How to Prepare for Your Sedation Dentistry Appointment

1. Follow Fasting Instructions

Depending on the type of sedation, you may need to avoid food and drink for a certain period before your appointment:

• Nitrous Oxide: No fasting needed.
• Oral Sedation & IV Sedation: Avoid food and liquids for at least 6-8 hours before your appointment.
• General Anesthesia: Follow your dentist’s specific fasting guidelines, usually 8+ hours of no food or drinks.

2. Arrange for Transportation

If you’re receiving oral sedation, IV sedation, or general anesthesia, you cannot drive yourself home. Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you and stay with you until you fully recover.

3. Wear Comfortable Clothing

Choose loose-fitting, comfortable clothing to stay relaxed during your procedure. Avoid wearing tight sleeves, as an IV may be used for sedation.

4. Take or Avoid Medications as Directed

Discuss your current medications with your dentist before the appointment. Certain medications may need to be adjusted or avoided before sedation.

5. Plan for Rest After Your Appointment

• Clear your schedule and take the rest of the day off.
• Have a calm, comfortable place to recover.
• Drink plenty of fluids and stick to soft foods if needed.

6. Have a Support System in Place

After deep sedation, you may feel groggy for several hours. It is best to have a family member or friend help you with basic tasks, such as getting home and staying hydrated.

7. Address Any Concerns with Your Dentist

If you have questions or concerns about the sedation process, don’t hesitate to ask your dentist beforehand. Understanding the procedure helps ease anxiety and ensures you’re fully prepared.

What to Expect on the Day of Your Appointment

Before the Procedure:

• Arrive on time and in comfortable clothing.
• Follow any fasting or medication instructions given by your dentist.
• Your dental team will review your medical history and confirm the sedation plan.

During the Procedure:

• You’ll receive the chosen sedation method to help you relax or sleep.
• Your dental team will monitor your vital signs throughout the procedure.
• Most patients experience little to no memory of the treatment.

After the Procedure:

• You may feel drowsy or groggy depending on the sedation used.
• Follow post-care instructions provided by your dentist.
• Stick to soft foods and liquids if your mouth is numb.
• Avoid alcohol, heavy meals, and strenuous activities for at least 24 hours.

How Long Does It Take to Recover from Sedation Dentistry?

Recovery Times by Sedation Type:

• Nitrous Oxide: Wears off within minutes—you can resume normal activities immediately.
• Oral Sedation: Effects last several hours—rest for the day.
• IV Sedation: Full recovery may take 24 hours.
• General Anesthesia: Recovery varies but often requires a full day of rest.

During your recovery, drink water, eat soft foods, and take any prescribed medications as directed.

Preparing for your sedation dentistry appointment ensures a smooth and safe experience. By following pre-appointment guidelines, arranging for support, and planning for recovery, you’ll be able to receive necessary dental care without fear, stress, or pain.