Sedation Dentistry
Goodbye Dental Fear
Safe, personalized sedation — from mild laughing gas to deep IV sedation administered by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Are You a Good Candidate for Sedation Dentistry?
Sedation is available for any patient who wants it. It's especially beneficial if you:
- ✓Are afraid of needles or shots
- ✓Have had a traumatic dental experience in the past
- ✓Struggle with the sounds or smells of a dental office
- ✓Have sensitive teeth, a strong gag reflex, or difficulty getting numb
- ✓Require complex or lengthy treatment
- ✓Feel self-conscious about the condition of your teeth
Welcome to the Spa
Relax & Rest Easy
Every visit at Casco Bay Smiles is designed around your comfort. Before we ever discuss sedation options, we make sure the environment itself puts you at ease.
Our comfort menu includes:
- —Soothing music through Bose noise-canceling headphones
- —Warm neck wraps
- —Eye pillows
- —Aromatherapy patches
- —Warm blankets
Personalized Solutions
Sedation Options at Casco Bay Smiles
Nitrous Oxide
Laughing Gas
Inhaled through a nasal mask, nitrous oxide produces a pleasant state of relaxation. Effects dissipate quickly — most patients can drive themselves home.
Oral Conscious Sedation
Prescription Pill
A prescribed medication taken before your appointment induces a deeper state of drowsiness. You remain conscious but deeply relaxed. Effects may last the remainder of the day.
IV Sedation
Deep Sedation
Administered by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Maintains a state of deep sedation with continuous oxygen monitoring. Ideal for extensive treatment or high anxiety.
Nitrous vs. Oral vs. IV Sedation: Which Is Right for You?
Every sedation plan starts with a conversation about your anxiety level, health history, and the treatment you need. Here's how the three options compare.
| Option | Nitrous Oxide | Oral Conscious Sedation | IV Sedation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Depth of sedation | Mild relaxation | Moderate drowsiness | Deep sedation |
| How it's given | Nasal mask during treatment | Prescription pill before your visit | Intravenous, by a CRNA |
| Takes effect | Within minutes | 30–60 minutes | Almost immediately |
| Recovery time | Minutes | Rest of the day | Rest of the day |
| Drive yourself home | ✓ Yes | No | No |
| Memory of the visit | Full, but relaxed | Little to none | Typically none |
| Best for | Mild nerves, routine visits | Moderate anxiety, longer visits | High anxiety, extensive treatment |
Not sure which option fits? Most patients with mild nerves do well with nitrous oxide, while patients who have avoided the dentist for years — or who are combining multiple procedures into one visit — often choose oral or IV sedation so the appointment passes in what feels like minutes. Dr. McVety will walk you through the choice at your consultation; there's never pressure toward deeper sedation than you need.
Sedation Makes Bigger Treatment Possible
Dental Implant Surgery
Many patients choose IV sedation for implant placement — the entire surgery, even a full arch, passes comfortably with little or no memory of the procedure.
Explore Dental Implants →Years of Postponed Care
If anxiety has kept you away from the dentist, sedation lets us complete multiple restorative treatments in one or two visits instead of many.
Explore Restorative Dentistry →Emergency Visits
Already in pain and dreading the chair? Nitrous oxide is available for same-day emergency appointments to keep you calm while we fix the problem.
Explore Emergency Dentistry →Frequently Asked Questions
Is sedation dentistry safe?
Yes. All sedation methods used at Casco Bay Smiles are proven to be safe and effective. Your vital signs are monitored throughout any sedation procedure.
How long is recovery?
Recovery depends on the method. Nitrous oxide wears off within minutes. Oral sedation effects may last several hours. IV sedation requires the rest of the day for recovery. A driver is required for oral and IV sedation.
Will I still need local anesthesia?
Yes. Sedation manages anxiety, but local anesthesia is still used for any procedure requiring numbing. Many patients report not remembering the anesthesia injection at all.
What's the difference between oral sedation and IV sedation?
Oral sedation is a prescription pill taken before your visit — it produces moderate drowsiness, but the level can't be adjusted once it takes effect. IV sedation is administered and continuously adjusted by a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, producing a deeper, more controlled level of sedation. IV is typically recommended for high anxiety or longer, more complex procedures.
Will I remember the appointment?
With nitrous oxide, yes — you're relaxed but fully aware. With oral and IV sedation, most patients remember little or nothing of the visit, which is exactly why patients with dental anxiety choose them.
Can I eat before a sedation appointment?
It depends on the method. There are typically no eating restrictions for nitrous oxide. For oral and IV sedation, you'll receive specific fasting instructions before your appointment — usually no food for several hours beforehand. We review all pre-appointment instructions with you when we schedule.
Do I need someone to drive me?
For nitrous oxide, no — it wears off within minutes and most patients drive themselves home. For oral and IV sedation, yes — you'll need a trusted adult to bring you to the appointment and drive you home, and you should plan to rest for the remainder of the day.
Nervous? That's Exactly Who We Built This For.
Tell us what makes you anxious, and we'll build the visit around it — from the comfort menu to the right level of sedation. No judgment, no lectures, no pressure.