Sedation Dentistry

We know that people with dental anxiety may feel hesitant to undergo even minor procedures, and others may feel a little nervous about oral surgery procedures, such as tooth extraction or dental implant placement. To ensure the comfort of our patients, Dr. Hofkes and our team provide dental sedation, which helps people enter and maintain a calm and relaxed state throughout the procedure.

Ensuring Patient Comfort

Dental sedation is a treatment option that helps people enter a calm state during their visit. While people have little to no memory of the procedure itself, they remain conscious and able to respond to the dentist if necessary.

Our Sedation Options

• Nitrous Oxide: The most common calming solution, this is administered through a mask over your nose and mouth. The effects then wear off right away once the procedure ends.
• Oral Sedation: For a deeper state of relaxation, we may provide a pill prior to the procedure. The effects take time to wear off, so a friend or family member may be needed to bring you home.
• Oral Sedation and Nitrous Oxide: By combining these two options, we help patients enter an even deeper state of calm. We may prescribe this option for those with high levels of anxiety, or possibly a sensitive gag reflex.
• IV: For the deepest state of calm, optimal for those with severe dental phobia or for patients undergoing oral surgery, we may administer sedation intravenously. A trained anesthesiologist will be on hand to monitor your vitals throughout the procedure.

Schedule Your Next Procedure With Dr. Hofkes Today

Dr. Shawn Hofkes is here for all of your dental surgery needs, including sedation dentistry, wisdom teeth, dental implants, and full mouth reconstruction. Please contact one of our two offices to reserve your appointment.