Sedation Dentistry — Relaxed, Anxiety-Free Dental Care
If the thought of sitting in a dental chair makes your heart race, you’re not alone — millions of adults feel the same way, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Sedation dentistry helps you get the care your smile needs while feeling genuinely calm, comfortable, and in control. Whether you need a routine cleaning or a more involved procedure, our sedation options let you relax through your entire visit.
What Is Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation dentistry uses safe, proven medication to help you feel deeply relaxed during dental treatment. It doesn’t put you to sleep the way hospital anesthesia does — instead, it takes the edge off your anxiety so the sounds, sensations, and stress of a dental visit fade into the background. Many patients describe it as feeling like they blinked and the appointment was already over.
At myDental, we offer several levels of sedation so we can match the right approach to your comfort level and the type of treatment you need. Our team is trained to administer and monitor sedation throughout your visit, keeping you safe and comfortable from start to finish.
Mild, fast-acting relaxation through a small nose mask that wears off within minutes after your appointment.
A deeper level of calm using medication tailored to your needs — ideal for moderate to high anxiety.
Gentle nitrous oxide sedation to help nervous kids feel calm and safe during their dental visit.
Extended sedation support for lengthy treatments like oral surgery, multiple extractions, or full-mouth work.
Sedation Dentistry Options We Offer
Not all anxiety is the same, and neither are our sedation solutions. We tailor the approach to your comfort level, health history, and the type of dental work you need.
Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)
Nitrous oxide is the lightest form of sedation and one of the most widely used in dentistry. You breathe it in through a small mask placed over your nose, and within a few minutes you feel a pleasant wave of relaxation. You stay fully awake and can communicate normally. Once the mask is removed, the effects wear off almost immediately — so you can drive yourself home and go about your day.
Sedaci??n
For patients with moderate to severe anxiety, sedation provides a deeper level of calm than nitrous oxide alone. Your dentist selects the method best suited to your health history and comfort level. You remain conscious and can respond throughout the procedure, but most patients remember very little of the visit. You’ll need someone to drive you home, and we recommend resting for the remainder of the day.
Sedation for Children
Kids and dental chairs don’t always mix. Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is a safe, gentle way to help your child feel calm during cleanings, fillings, and other procedures. The mask sits lightly over their nose, they breathe normally, and within minutes they feel relaxed and at ease. Once the appointment is over, the effects wear off almost immediately — so your child is back to being themselves before you reach the car.
Sedation for Complex Procedures
Some dental treatments — like oral surgery, wisdom tooth extraction, multiple fillings in one sitting, or full-mouth reconstruction — require you to stay comfortable for an extended period. Sedation allows us to complete more work in fewer appointments while keeping you relaxed throughout. This means less time in the chair overall and a faster path to the healthy smile you deserve.
Who Should Consider Sedation Dentistry?
Dental anxiety is far more common than most people think, and it shows up in many different ways. Sedation dentistry can be a great fit if any of the following sound familiar:
There’s no judgment here — dental anxiety is real, and asking about sedation is a sign of strength, not weakness. During a brief consultation, we’ll talk through your concerns and help you choose the option that feels right for you.
Your Sedation Dentistry Visit at myDental
We know that uncertainty can make anxiety worse, so here is exactly what happens from your first call to the moment you head home — no surprises.
Consultation & Health Review
When you book your appointment, we start with a conversation about your anxiety level, medical history, current medications, and the dental treatment you need. This helps us recommend the safest, most effective sedation option for you. We answer every question until you feel fully informed and ready.
Preparation Before Your Visit
If you’re receiving nitrous oxide, no special preparation is needed — just show up. For oral sedation, we’ll give you clear instructions: when to take the medication, what to eat and drink beforehand, and to arrange a ride home with a trusted adult. We keep instructions simple and send them to you in writing so nothing is left to memory.
Relaxed, Comfortable Treatment
Once the sedation takes effect, your dentist begins treatment. You’ll feel calm and detached from what’s happening. Our team monitors your vital signs — heart rate, oxygen, blood pressure — continuously throughout the procedure. We also provide comfort extras like blankets, headphones, and Netflix to make the experience feel as easy as possible.
Recovery & Aftercare
With nitrous oxide, you’ll feel back to normal within minutes and can drive yourself home. With oral sedation, we’ll monitor you until you’re ready to leave and release you to your driver. We provide written aftercare instructions and check in to see how you’re feeling. Most patients tell us they wish they’d tried sedation sooner.
Why Choose myDental for Sedation Dentistry?
Our goal is simple: make your dental visit feel safe, easy, and genuinely comfortable so you can get the care you deserve without the dread.
Get More Done in Fewer Visits
Sedation lets us combine multiple treatments into a single appointment. Instead of spreading your care across several stressful visits, we can often complete everything in one or two comfortable sessions.
Transparent, Affordable Pricing
We explain the cost of sedation upfront before your appointment. Most PPO insurance accepted, flexible monthly financing available, and our myDental Plan offers discounts for patients without insurance.
Complete Care Under One Roof
From routine cleanings to oral surgery and everything in between, we provide sedation options across all of our services — so you never need a referral just to feel comfortable.
Comfort Amenities at Every Visit
Sedation is just one part of our comfort-first approach. Every visit includes blankets, pillows, headphones, Netflix, and a patient, judgment-free team that moves at your pace.
What Our Patients Say About Sedation Dentistry
Rated 4.8/5 stars from 5,598+ patient reviews across all locations.
“Five-year patient who will never go anywhere else. Jasmine greets you with a big smile and eases every nerve.”
Google Review
“Nervous about a broken crown extraction - Dr. R and team made it quick, informed, and comfortable”
Google Review
“Hadn't seen a dentist in 12-15 years -- they explained every step with patience and kindness”
Google Review
How Much Does Sedation Dentistry Cost?
The cost of sedation depends on the type used and the length of your procedure. Nitrous oxide is typically the most affordable option, while deeper sedation may cost more due to prescription medication and additional monitoring. We believe anxiety should never stand between you and a healthy smile, so we provide a clear cost breakdown before your appointment — no hidden fees, no surprises.
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Learn About the Plan →Your Sedation Dentistry Questions, Answered
Don’t see your question? Contact us — we’re happy to help.
Sedation dentistry uses medication to help you feel calm and relaxed during dental procedures. Options range from mild sedation with nitrous oxide, which creates a light sense of ease while you remain fully awake, to deeper sedation that produces a profoundly relaxed state. You stay conscious and can respond to your dentist throughout your visit. Sedation is a safe, well-established approach used by dental professionals across the country to help anxious patients receive the care they need comfortably.
Costs depend on the type of sedation and the length of your procedure. Nitrous oxide is typically the most affordable choice, while deeper sedation costs more because it involves prescription medication and additional monitoring. We provide a clear cost estimate before your appointment so you know exactly what to expect. We accept most PPO dental insurance, offer flexible financing with monthly payments, and our Plan myDental gives discounts to patients without insurance.
Some PPO dental insurance plans cover sedation when it’s considered medically necessary — for example, for patients with documented dental anxiety, special needs, or complex procedures that require extended chair time. Coverage amounts vary by plan. Our team verifies your benefits before your appointment and explains your estimated out-of-pocket costs so you can plan ahead. Visit our insurance page for more details on what your plan may cover.
Yes. Sedation dentistry has a strong safety record when administered by trained dental professionals. Before your visit, we review your complete medical history, current medications, and any health conditions to choose the safest option. During your procedure, our team monitors your heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels continuously. Nitrous oxide is one of the safest sedation methods in all of medicine and has been used in dentistry for well over a century. We follow rigorous protocols to keep you safe at every step.
No. The sedation options we offer keep you conscious throughout your visit. Nitrous oxide produces a light, pleasant relaxation where you remain fully awake and aware. Deeper sedation creates a profound calm — you may feel drowsy and detached from the procedure, but you can still respond to your dentist. Many patients describe it as feeling like they dozed through the appointment, even though they were awake. This is not general anesthesia, which puts you fully to sleep and requires a hospital setting.
For nitrous oxide, no special preparation is needed. You can eat normally and drive yourself to and from the office. For deeper sedation, you’ll need to avoid food and drink for several hours beforehand, follow the pre-visit instructions we provide, and arrange for a trusted adult to drive you home. Wear comfortable clothing and let us know about any medications you currently take. We send you written preparation instructions when you book your appointment so nothing is left to guesswork.
Sedation dentistry is well suited for patients who feel anxious or fearful about dental visits, have a strong gag reflex, need several treatments completed in one sitting, are scheduled for a lengthy procedure such as cirug??a oral, have had a negative dental experience in the past, or want to combine multiple procedures into a single comfortable appointment. Children who feel nervous at the dentist can benefit from nitrous oxide, which provides gentle relaxation without medication. A short consultation helps us determine which sedation level is the best and safest match for your situation.
myDental offers sedation dentistry at multiple convenient Texas locations. Each office is staffed with professionals trained in sedation administration and monitoring. Find the location nearest you and call to schedule a consultation — we’ll help you choose the sedation option that fits your comfort level and treatment needs.
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Ready to Experience Anxiety-Free Dental Care?
You deserve dental care that doesn’t come with dread. Whether you’ve been avoiding the dentist for years or you just want a more comfortable experience, our team is here to help you feel safe, heard, and genuinely relaxed. Schedule a consultation and let us show you how easy your next visit can be.
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