Sedation dentistry in Asheville
Get The Care You Need With Added Support For Anxiety
Sedation options can help qualifying patients feel calmer during dental treatment, whether worry, a strong gag reflex, or a longer procedure has made care difficult.
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Dental Anxiety Is Worth Discussing
Feeling nervous about dental care is common. Some patients have avoided treatment for years, while others struggle with sounds, sensations, a strong gag reflex, or the thought of a more involved procedure. You do not need to hide those concerns from your dental team.
Embark Dental provides multiple forms of sedation dentistry in Asheville. Dr. Marc Gonzalez holds an IV Sedation Permit from the North Carolina Dental Board. Your health history, medications, anxiety level, and planned treatment help determine whether sedation is appropriate and which option may fit.
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Sedation Options At Embark Dental
Nitrous Oxide
Nitrous oxide, sometimes called laughing gas, is inhaled through a small mask placed over the nose. It provides mild sedation during treatment and wears off quickly. Most patients can drive themselves home afterward, but you should follow the specific instructions given for your visit.
Oral Sedation
Oral sedation uses prescribed medication taken before the appointment. You remain awake but may feel deeply relaxed and remember little of the procedure. Because the effects last beyond the appointment, follow all medication, food, escort, and transportation instructions from the office.
IV Moderate Conscious Sedation
IV moderate conscious sedation is delivered through an intravenous line and allows the sedation level to be managed during treatment. You remain under close observation. This option requires specific preparation and recovery instructions, including transportation and an accompanying adult when directed.
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What To Expect Before Treatment
Your sedation consultation includes a review of medical conditions, allergies, medications, prior experiences with anesthesia or sedation, and the dental care being planned. Give complete and accurate information, including nonprescription medicines and supplements.
The team will explain what to eat or drink before the appointment, which regular medicines to take, when you need an escort, and what activity restrictions apply afterward. These instructions differ by sedation type. If you do not understand a direction, call before the visit rather than guessing.
During treatment, the team monitors you according to the sedation method and procedure. Local anesthetic may still be used to numb the treatment area because sedation and pain control serve different purposes.
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Planning A Safe Recovery
Do not drive, work, sign important documents, drink alcohol, or make safety-sensitive decisions after oral or IV sedation until the restrictions provided by the clinical team have passed. Arrange for a responsible adult to drive you and remain available when instructed.
Your response to sedation is individual. The goal is to support comfort while allowing needed dental care, not to promise that you will sleep through treatment or remember nothing.
Questions, answered
Sedation Dentistry FAQs
Which Type Of Sedation Is Right For Me?+
The choice depends on your medical history, medications, anxiety, procedure, and previous response to sedation. A consultation is required.
Will I Be Unconscious?+
You remain awake with oral sedation and IV moderate conscious sedation. Your awareness and memory can vary. Ask the dentist what to expect from the specific method recommended.
Will Sedation Stop Pain?+
Sedation helps with relaxation. Local anesthetic is commonly used separately to numb the treatment area. Your dentist will explain both parts of the comfort plan.
Can I Drive Myself Home?+
Most patients can drive after nitrous oxide once the dentist confirms the effects have worn off. Oral and IV sedation generally require transportation and an escort. Follow the office’s instructions for your appointment.
Is Sedation Only For Major Procedures?+
No. Sedation may be considered for anxiety, a strong gag reflex, difficulty tolerating treatment, or longer procedures. The benefit and level of sedation should match the individual need.
What Should I Tell The Dentist Before Sedation?+
Share all health conditions, allergies, prescriptions, nonprescription medicines, supplements, pregnancy status, and prior reactions to sedation or anesthesia.
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Talk About Comfort Before Your Appointment
A calm visit starts with an honest discussion of what has made dental care hard for you. Request a sedation dentistry consultation with Embark Dental in Asheville.
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Preparing For A Sedation Visit
Preparation depends on the sedation method. The office will provide instructions about eating, drinking, regular medications, clothing, transportation, and the time to arrive. Follow those directions exactly and contact the team before the appointment if your health, medications, or symptoms change. Do not assume instructions from a previous procedure apply to a new visit.
Oral and IV sedation generally require a responsible adult to drive you home and remain available afterward. Plan to avoid driving, work, alcohol, legal decisions, and other activities requiring coordination or judgment for the period specified by the dentist. Arrange childcare and transportation in advance so recovery does not depend on last-minute decisions.
Sedation can reduce awareness or anxiety, but local anesthetic may still be used to numb the treatment area. Monitoring and recovery procedures vary with the chosen level. Before consenting, ask which method is proposed, why it fits the planned care, what you may remember, how you will be monitored, and what recovery is usually like. Suitability is determined only after reviewing your medical and dental information.
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Discussing Dental Anxiety Openly
Tell the team what part of care is difficult for you. Some people are concerned about injections or sounds; others fear loss of control, have a strong gag reflex, or remember a previous experience. Those details help the dentist discuss pacing, communication signals, local anesthesia, appointment length, and sedation choices. Sedation is not the only support, and the deepest available option is not automatically the best one. The goal is to choose an approach proportionate to your health, anxiety, procedure, and ability to follow preparation and recovery instructions.
A clear next step
Let’s discuss sedation dentistry.
An examination gives your dentist the information needed to explain appropriate options, timing, and next steps.