Sedation Dentistry
West Linn, OR

Sedated woman in dental chair at Roane Family Dental in West Linn, OR 97068-4310

Visits to the dentist can be a daunting experience for children and adults alike. The fear of the unknown can make patients hesitant about regular dental checkups or visiting the dentist in case of an emergency. In fact, there are many people who are so scared by the thought of having their teeth pulled that they refuse to check with the dentist and keep sitting on their toothaches or oral infections until the condition becomes serious.

Many a time, dentists are forced to remove the decaying tooth because the patient let the bacterial build-up get worse out of fear. Whereas, if the patient had visited the dentist in the early stages of tooth decay (plaque formation and tartar build-up), procedures like scaling and root planing could have saved their tooth.

For patients who require immediate dental care but have a phobia of dental procedures, dentists use the method of sedation, also known as sedation dentistry, to lull them into a deep sleep. While the patient is unconscious, the dentist performs the necessary procedure and brings them back to consciousness once the procedure has been completed.

Levels of Sedation

There are four main levels of sedation:

•	Minimal Sedation - This is the first and most mild level of sedation. The person is awake but has minimum consciousness. The patient can respond to questions by nodding or shaking their head, can feel stimulations but are unable to register the intensity of the pain.
•	Moderate Sedation - The patient is awake, but cognitive functions are depressed. The motor skills and memory functions are the most affected in this level of sedation. They are unable to move or keep track of what is happening around them. Their thoughts become cloudy, and they are unable to react.
•	Deep Sedation - The person has almost drifted to sleep at this stage. They are midway between conscious and unconscious. In such a state, the person is not able to react to the treatment procedures.
•	General Anesthesia - This is the complete “knocked-out” level of sedation. The patient is completely unconscious and both his mind and body have switched off. Only the involuntary actions like breathing and the beating of the heart are taking place.

Depending on the patient’s anxiety levels, the sedation levels will be increased. It is to be noted that along with sedation, the patient will also be receiving local anesthesia for the mouth to numb the pain caused by procedures like root canals, tooth extraction, and root planing.

Nitrous Oxide

Nitrous oxide is commonly referred to as laughing gas. Dentists use nitrous oxide to sedate patients and make them numb to pain and discomfort. With the help of a facemask, the patient is made to breathe nitrous oxide, which instantly tranquilizes them, and the patient experiences the feeling of euphoria and deep relaxation. The amazing thing about nitrous oxide is that after the procedure, as the dentist removes the facemask, the effects of nitrous oxide start to wear off immediately. Within minutes patients regain their senses and can walk or drive back home. Nitrous oxide is one of the most effective and safest options for sedation and is commonly used for sedation dentistry to relieve anxiety.

Oral Sedation

Another common method of sedation is the use of oral pills or syrup. Medicines like Halcion or Valium are good oral sedatives and can help in achieving mild to moderate levels of sedation. After ingesting these oral medicines, the patient may experience drowsiness, but he or she will still be able to answer questions and respond to stimuli. Oral sedation is commonly used before procedures like tooth extraction to help calm the patient.

IV Sedation and General Anesthesia

Sedatives can also be injected directly into the bloodstream. Intravenous (IV) sedatives and medicines used for general anesthesia are directly injected into the veins to act as a tranquilizer for patients who may have extreme anxiety. These sedatives are also used for complicated and lengthy procedures like dental implant surgeries to keep the patient comfortable for a longer time.

It is to be noted that in this case, the services of an anesthesiologist will be sought to ensure that the dosage is the right amount and does not lead to any adverse side effects. You will be asked to sign a consent form before being sedated, and since the effects of anesthesia will be long-lasting, you will need a ride back home after your surgical procedure.

Schedule Your Appointment

At Roane Family Dental, we take absolute care to perform sedation dentistry and make the procedures painless and comfortable for our patients. Call us today at (503) 657-1215 to schedule your appointment.

I adore Dr. Roane and his staff.

"I have been a patient here for 10 years, since he started this practice. He has fixed my chipped front teeth twice, most recently this week. He is truly an artist and such a nice guy! My teeth look natural and healthy again. As always, the procedure was painless, quick, and professional. The office is clean, the front office is efficient, and everyone is friendly.

Dr. Roane even opened the clinic on New Year's Day a few years ago to treat my daughter's dry socket after she had her wisdom teeth pulled. I will always be grateful for that, and will remain a loyal patient here even though I moved to Tigard 2 years ago."

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2180 8th Ct #100
West Linn, OR 97068-4310

(503) 657-1215

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Sedation Dentistry West Linn, OR | Roane Family Dental
At Roane Family Dental, we offer sedation dentistry to create a comfortable and enjoyable experience for our patients. If you need a dental implant or need oral surgery, we can provide sedation. Call (503) 974-0464.
Roane Family Dental, 2180 8th Ct, #100, West Linn, OR 97068-4310 \ (503) 657-1215 \ roanefamilydental.com \ 6/26/2025 \ Page Terms:dentist West Linn OR \