Sedation dentistry for people who are afraid of the dentist
If a dental appointment causes you severe anxiety and stress, our compassionate team is here to help. With sedation, you go through your visit relaxed while still aware of your surroundings.
- Free consultation
- To evaluate your needs and your goals
- Panoramic X-ray
- Complimentary, if you don’t have recent X-rays
- Oral, IV, or both
- Chosen together with you
- Conscious sedation
- The same “twilight” sedation used for minor procedures
On this page
At Halcyon Dental, we understand the fear and discomfort many people experience when visiting the dentist. Our experienced staff work hard to make sure every patient feels safe, protected, and comfortable during their appointment, no matter how fearful they feel walking into our office. We believe everyone deserves quality dental care without being nervous or scared throughout their treatment.
A simple process
First, we offer you a free consultation to evaluate your needs. Together, we determine your oral health goals and the level of sedation needed to reach them. We review your X-rays together to identify any major or obvious issues. If you don’t have recent X-rays, we’ll take a complimentary panoramic X-ray at this visit.
Oral, IV, or both
Depending on your needs, you’ll be offered oral, intravenous (IV), or both options for your procedure. The form of sedation we offer is called conscious sedation. It’s the same “twilight” sedation most people experience during minor surgical and diagnostic procedures. Medically speaking, most people who can undergo routine dental care can also receive conscious sedation very safely.
Oral and IV sedation, side by side
| Oral sedation | IV sedation | |
|---|---|---|
| How it’s given | Pills taken about an hour before your appointment, with no needle to start | A small catheter in a vein delivers the medication directly into the bloodstream |
| Adjustable during treatment | Taken beforehand and absorbed through the intestines, so it is less predictable | Adjusted until you reach exactly the right level, and kept consistent for the whole appointment |
| Recovery | Typically takes a few hours | Takes longer than from oral sedation: drowsiness can last several hours |
IV sedation Effects are felt in less than a minute
Adjusted until you reach exactly the right level
Oral sedation You’ll usually feel the effects within 45 minutes
Who sedation dentistry helps
Sedation dentistry has opened doors for many people who previously felt dental care was out of reach. It helps people with dental anxiety or phobia, those with a sensitive gag reflex, people with past traumatic dental experiences, and people who have avoided the dentist for years. It also helps people who aren’t normally afraid of the dentist but need a lot of work, or procedures that would otherwise be uncomfortable.
Safe, closely monitored care
Dr. Kim holds an Illinois IV Conscious Sedation Permit and is ACLS certified. We treat hundreds of sedation cases per year, more than most dentists treat in their entire career. Before any sedation we review your medical history and current medications, and during treatment we monitor your heart rate, blood oxygen, blood pressure and breathing. Sedation dentistry isn’t for everybody, and your medical history may rule it out, so we go over this carefully at your consultation. Our guide to whether sedation dentistry is safe explains each of these safety measures.
Start with a free consultation
A consultation gives patients the opportunity to ask questions, learn about sedation options, and understand what to expect, all without any pressure or commitment.
Request a free consultationFree consultationPrefer to talk?Call 630-361-0488Treatments we provide under sedation
- Dental implants and bone grafting under sedationImplant surgery and bone grafting, planned and placed under sedation.
- Tooth extractions and bridges under sedationSafe, effective sedation for extractions and large bridges.
- Full-mouth reconstruction and complex restorative workCrowns, bridges, and complex restorative work, often completed in fewer visits.
- Deep cleanings for people with a strong gag reflexStrong gag reflex or years since your last visit? We’ll see anybody, no matter the case.
Plan your next step
Sources
- AnesthesiaMedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Guidelines for the Use of Sedation and General Anesthesia by DentistsAmerican Dental Association
- Dental Professions: licenses and permits, including the Dental Sedation PermitIllinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR)
- Anesthesia and SedationMouthHealthy, American Dental Association
More questions about sedation
What is the difference between oral and IV sedation?
Oral sedation is a pill taken about an hour before your visit and works well for longer restorative appointments. IV sedation delivers medication directly into a vein, works within minutes, and can be adjusted during the procedure, which makes it the most predictable option for surgery, extractions, implants, and root canals.
Can I get a lot of dental work done in one visit?
Often, yes. Because you are relaxed and comfortable, we can usually complete more treatment per appointment, so many patients finish in fewer visits.
Ready to feel relaxed at the dentist?
Tell us a little about what’s been holding you back, and we’ll set up your free consultation.
- Free consultation
- Complimentary panoramic X-ray if needed
- Payment plan options