Enjoy Relaxing, Anxiety-free Dentistry with Sedation Dental Care
Many people have had negative dental experiences in the past—perhaps an uncomfortable procedure, inadequate pain management, or even a sense of vulnerability in the dentist’s chair. These experiences can leave lasting impressions, leading to a fear of future dental visits. For some patients, the mere thought of needles can trigger dental anxiety.
Whatever the reason for your fear of the dentist, Santa Rosa Dentistry and Implant Center offers sedation dentistry to calm your nerves and help you enjoy dentistry again. Dr. Wayne Sutton and his team provide nitrous oxide and oral conscious sedation to ensure all our patients—even those with dental fear—enjoy anxiety-free dental care.
Why is dental anxiety essential to deal with?
Dental fear can stem from several factors, including past negative experiences, a strong gag reflex, fear of needles, or simply fear of the unknown. Dental anxiety can manifest as mild uneasiness, but sometimes, it can be so overwhelming that patients may avoid scheduling regular check-ups or necessary treatments. Dental avoidance leads to a cycle of neglect that exacerbates dental issues over time.
As you’d expect, the consequences of avoiding the dentist can be dire. Neglected dental care causes numerous oral health problems, including cavities, gum disease, and tooth loss. Additionally, untreated dental issues can escalate, needing more complex and painful procedures down the road—further exacerbating the cycle of fear and avoidance.
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Includes all exams, X-Rays, and 2 general hygiene cleanings per year for $349.
What are the available sedation dentistry options?
There is no reason to avoid dental treatments because of dental fear. Dr. Sutton and his team can help overcome dental anxiety with the following sedation dentistry options.
- Nitrous oxide: Inhalation sedation is delivered through a mask placed over your nose or mouth, with the calming effects of nitrous oxide taking effect almost instantly. The sedation continues as long as the mask is in place, helping to ease your nerves even though it’s the mildest form of sedation available. Once the mask is removed, the effects dissipate quickly, allowing you to return to your everyday activities. Nitrous oxide is a safe and effective option for patients of all ages, including children.
- Oral conscious sedation: For this sedation, the dentist prescribes an anti-anxiety pill to be taken about an hour before your treatment. When you arrive at our office, you’ll be fully relaxed to undergo your treatment. Oral sedatives don’t make you unconscious—you’ll be responsive to communicate with our team but carefree about your surroundings. Sometimes, you may doze off, but a slight nudge is all you need to rouse you from sleep. Unlike inhalation sedation, the sedation effects of oral sedation linger even after your treatment is completed. For this reason, you must have someone escort you to and from our office.
Besides sedation dentistry, we offer powerful anesthetics to provide maximum comfort. Our dental team is trained to offer local and general anesthesia, allowing us to tailor pain management to your specific needs. We’re committed to creating a relaxed environment where you can feel confident that your comfort is a top priority, regardless of the complexity of your dental needs.
Do you need sedation dentistry?
Whether you have mild or severe dental fear, you can experience a stress-free dental visit at Santa Rosa Dentistry and Implant Center—call (707) 542-6772 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Sutton to explore our sedation dentistry options.
Sedation Testimonial
(All photos of actual patients)
Dr. Wayne Sutton
Connect with Dr. Wayne Sutton on Linkedin
Dr. Sutton is one of the premier cosmetic dentists in Sonoma County, and with over 20 years of experience, his implant center maintains a standard of excellence using the strongest dental implant bridge currently available to provide predictable full mouth dental implant reconstructions.
Dr. Sutton completed his postgraduate studies at The Pacific Aesthetic Continuum in San Francisco and received his doctorate, three years of experience as a clinical instructor, and the coveted “Clinical Excellence Award” from UCSF School of Dentistry in 1997. He also earned his Fellowship in the Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics and studied Advanced Occlusion at the Hornbrook Group.
Dr. Sutton continues to take four times the annual continuing education requirements to maintain his license. As a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, the Dental Organization for Conscious Sedation (awarded his Fellowship), the Academy of General Dentistry (Fellowships status), the American Dental Implant Association (Diplomat status), the American Dental Association, the American Academy for Dental Sleep Medicine, Dr. Sutton is also a select cosmetic dentist recognized as an Official Dentist of the Mrs. Globe – Mrs. USA Pageants.
