
Sedation Dentistry
A Relaxed Environment for Our Patients
Fear of going to the dentist is all too common, and many people who feel anxious about a trip to the dentist office choose instead to avoid going, which is detrimental to your oral health. At Dossett Dental, we want you to feel comfortable with your dentist so that we can take good care of your mouth, which is why we offer sedation services to our patients who suffer from dental phobia.
Sedation dentistry is the practice of offering medication to anxious patients so they can feel relaxed and allow their dental procedure to be completed. Sedation also helps with patients who have an extremely sensitive gag reflex, as it relaxes the throat muscles.
What Types of Sedation are Available?
Sedatives may be mild or moderate, depending on the procedure and the patient’s level of anxiety. Dossett Dental offers a variety of sedatives that are usually given via:
- Inhalation: Nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is inhaled through a mask put on the patient’s face. Laughing gas is a mild sedative that relaxes the patient. It’s also a good choice for those who don’t want to receive an injection.
- Oral: Oral sedations are another great option for people who wish to avoid a needle. Patients are given a pill. Oral sedatives make you sleepy but you don’t really fall asleep; generally you just feel a bit groggy after.
- IV: Sedation through an IV is more moderate and generally leaves the patient unconscious but easy to wake up.
Deeper Sedation Options
Some procedures require patients to reach a deep level of unconsciousness. For these treatments, we offer:

Deep Sedation
Patients on deep sedation are completely unconscious and cannot easily be awakened. These patients will respond to pain, and can usually breathe on their own.

General Anesthesia
A patient under general anesthesia is very deeply asleep and unable to respond to pain. Patients in this state may have difficulty breathing on their own and may require a ventilator and a heart monitor.
Contact Dossett Dental Today
Don’t let your fear of the dentist keep you from achieving good oral health. Call our McKinney office today to schedule a consultation with one of our skilled dentists. We won’t perform an exam; instead, we will discuss sedation options with you to help you determine your level of comfort.