IV Sedation Dentistry in Newport Beach, CA

Experience Anxiety-Free Dental Care with Sedation Dentistry

Dental anxiety affects millions of Americans, preventing many from receiving the essential care they need. At Newport Beach Dental Center, we understand how visiting the dentist can be unnerving and how requiring dental treatment can be enough to put you into full panic. That’s why our team, led by Dr. Laura Sharbash, provides experienced and highly-accredited sedation dentistry options to ensure every patient can receive necessary dental care in comfort.

What Is Sedation Dentistry?

Sedation dentistry uses medication to help patients relax during dental procedures, creating a stress-free, comfortable experience. Contrary to what some people believe, most forms of dental sedation don’t put you completely to sleep. Instead, they work to calm your nerves and reduce anxiety while allowing you to remain conscious and responsive throughout your treatment.

At Newport Beach Dental Center, we offer multiple levels of sedation to accommodate varying degrees of dental anxiety and procedure complexity.

Our Comprehensive Sedation Options

Nitrous Oxide (Laughing Gas)

Nitrous oxide is our mildest form of sedation, perfect for patients with mild anxiety or those undergoing shorter procedures.

• How it works: Inhaled through a comfortable mask placed over your nose
• Effects: Creates a feeling of relaxation and well-being within minutes
• Recovery: Effects subside completely within minutes after treatment
• Benefits: You can drive yourself home and return to normal activities immediately
• Ideal for: Patients with mild anxiety, routine dental procedures, or children

Oral Conscious Sedation

For patients with moderate anxiety or those undergoing longer procedures, oral conscious sedation offers deeper relaxation.

• How it works: Taken in pill or liquid form approximately one hour before treatment
• Effects: Creates a deeply relaxed state; you’ll remain awake but may not remember much of the procedure
• Recovery: Effects may last several hours; you’ll need someone to drive you home
• Benefits: No needles required, easy to administer, creates amnesia effect for a stress-free experience
• Ideal for: Patients with moderate anxiety, longer procedures, or those with a strong gag reflex

IV Sedation

IV sedation is our most profound sedation option, offering immediate and completely controllable sedation for patients with severe dental anxiety.

• How it works: Medication is administered directly into the bloodstream through a tiny needle
• Effects: Creates a deep state of relaxation; you’ll technically remain conscious but may have little to no memory of the procedure
• Recovery: Effects last several hours; you’ll need someone to drive you home and monitor you
• Benefits:
  • Immediate onset of sedation effects
  • Highly controllable—our team can adjust your sedation level throughout treatment
  • Perfect for complex procedures that require multiple visits to be completed in a single appointment
  • Creates an amnesia effect, so you won’t remember sights, sounds, or smells of treatment
  • Reduces gag reflex
• Ideal for: Patients with severe dental anxiety, complex or lengthy procedures, sensitive gag reflex, or difficulty getting numb

Is Sedation Dentistry Right for You?

Sedation dentistry may be an excellent option if you:

• Experience anxiety or fear about dental procedures
• Have had traumatic dental experiences in the past
• Have difficulty getting numb with local anesthesia alone
• Have a sensitive gag reflex
• Need extensive dental work completed
• Have trouble sitting still for long periods
• Have sensitive teeth
• Want to complete multiple procedures in a single visit

The Safety of Dental Sedation

Safety is our highest priority at Newport Beach Dental Center. Our team is specially trained and certified in administering all forms of dental sedation. During sedated procedures, we use advanced monitoring equipment to track your vital signs throughout treatment, ensuring your complete safety and comfort.

Newport Beach dentist Dr. Sharbash and our team have completed extensive training in sedation protocols and maintain all required certifications and continuing education to provide the safest experience possible.

What to Expect During Sedation Dentistry

Before Your Appointment

1. Consultation: We’ll review your medical history and discuss your anxiety level to determine the most appropriate form of sedation.
2. Pre-appointment instructions: Depending on your sedation type, we may ask you to:
   • Fast for a certain period before your appointment
   • Arrange for someone to drive you to and from your appointment
   • Adjust medications as needed (in consultation with your physician)

During Your Appointment

1. Preparation: Our team will ensure you’re comfortable and explain the sedation process.
2. Monitoring: Throughout your procedure, we’ll monitor your vital signs using state-of-the-art equipment.
3. Treatment: While you’re relaxed and comfortable, we’ll complete your dental work efficiently and gently.

After Your Appointment

1. Recovery: For IV and oral sedation, you’ll recover briefly in our office before being released to your companion.
2. Home care: We’ll provide detailed post-treatment instructions for both your dental procedure and sedation recovery.
3. Follow-up: Our team will check in with you to ensure your recovery is progressing smoothly.

Patient Experiences with Sedation Dentistry

“Dr. Laura Sharbash and her office staff are amazing. I have extreme fear of dental work and she put me at ease when I came in. The office always accommodates the times I need to come in and works with my schedule. I highly recommend her as your dentist as I’ve had nothing but positive and pain free experiences when visiting her for dental work. She is extremely knowledgeable and highly skilled at her craft. 10/10 would recommend!” – Megan Hishmeh

“I have not gone to the dentist in probably over 10 years due to anxiety and panic attacks when I would go for teeth cleaning. I was looking for someone who would be patient and gentle with me (while also using nitrous oxide to help keep me calm of course) and she exceeded all my expectations! I feel as though I am getting better at staying calm since my experiences have been pleasant here and have been coming every 3 months now.” – Toni Collado

Frequently Asked Questions About Sedation Dentistry

Will I be asleep during my treatment?

With IV and oral sedation, you’ll be in a deeply relaxed state but not completely unconscious. You’ll still be able to respond to simple requests but likely won’t remember much of the procedure afterward.

Is sedation dentistry safe?

Yes, sedation dentistry is very safe when administered by qualified professionals like our team at Newport Beach Dental Center. We monitor your vital signs throughout treatment and are trained to respond to any situation.

How long will the effects of sedation last?

Nitrous oxide effects wear off within minutes. Oral and IV sedation effects may last several hours, and you should plan to take the rest of the day off after your procedure.

Will my insurance cover sedation dentistry?

Some insurance plans cover sedation, particularly for certain procedures or medical conditions. Our team will work with you to maximize your insurance benefits and explain any out-of-pocket costs.

Can I eat before my sedation appointment?

For IV sedation, you’ll typically need to fast for 8 hours before your appointment. For oral sedation, we’ll provide specific instructions. There are no food restrictions for nitrous oxide.

Insurance and Payment Options

At Newport Beach Dental Center, we want to make sedation dentistry accessible to all patients who need it. We accept most PPO dental insurance plans and are a preferred provider for Delta Dental. We’ll work with you to determine coverage for sedation services and offer flexible payment options, including CareCredit, for any out-of-pocket expenses.

Choose Sedation Dentistry for Your Next Procedure

Don’t let dental anxiety prevent you from getting the care you need. With our compassionate approach and advanced sedation options, Newport Beach Dental Center can help you achieve optimal oral health in comfort.

Call us today at (949) 760-9212 or request an appointment online to schedule your sedation dentistry consultation with Dr. Laura Sharbash.